August 28, 2009

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 50 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

A crane from Hawkins Construction Company has hoisted most of the steel beams needed to complete the construction of Main Street -- the final portion of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s “New Beginnings” remodeling and addition. The tower will contain the new public west entrance to the Home. The Silverman Family Auditorium, a multi-purpose space, is located to the left in this photo (behind the crane). The new synagogue will be located to the right of the entrance.

Main Street is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Is the turbulent health care debate bad for the Jews?

by ERIC FINGERHUT and a picture of a yarmulNEW YORK (JTA) -ke emblazoned with When U.S. Rep. Travis “Obama’ 08.” The video Childers announced sevended with the words eral months ago that he “Come on back home, was headed to Israel, the Travis.” trip was billed as an A few days later Lange opportunity to boost ecotook down the video, nomic development. explaining that several But by the time the Jewish friends had told Mississippi Democrat him that it contained arrived earlier this month, “imagery that was ‘on the the trip suddenly became line’ and could be taken a flash point in one local the wrong way without corner of the nation’s the political context.” increasingly bitter health “I messed up,” Lange care debate. said in an Aug. 12 stateAlan Lange, the ment posted to his blog. founder of the Mississippi “I apologize to those political and legal Web A swastika painted on a sign in front of the office of U.S. Rep. David who might have taken site “Y’all Politics”, didn’t Scott (D-GA) illustrated the increasingly raucous nature of the offense to it.”

Credit: Office of U.S. Rep. David Scott Lange stands out -- for like that Childers was health care debate. spending part of the congressional recess out of town saying he’s sorry. As bloggers, radio hosts and protesters instead of at home talking to constituents about health ratchet up their rhetoric in the fight against health care care reform. So on Aug. 9, he posted a video to reform, many are unapologetically utilizing inflammatoYouTube slamming the congressman. ry rhetoric and imagery -- often in ways that could be With “Hava Nagila” playing in the background, the expected to raise alarms in some corners of the Jewish video highlighted Childers’ recent comment that he community. would like to talk to constituents about health care -- “If Protesters and radio talking heads, notably Rush they’re civil.” The words “Go make some new friends” Limbaugh, have been comparing the Obama administhen appeared on the screen, followed by a photo of an tration to Nazis. A Democratic congressman had a Orthodox Jew in Israel as the narrator said, “Tell ’em we swastika drawn on the sign in front of his office. said ‘hi.’”

Bloggers are exploiting images of Anne Frank, tagging Next came the words “And grab a souvenir yarmulke” Continued on page 3

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

Kripke Library film festival features “Dinner and a Movie”: Page 3

August 28, 2009

Wolfson returns to share seven questions asked in heaven

Blumkin Home’s Main Street construction underway

This Week: Teens receive Keiser-Stoms scholarship: Page 7

8 Elul 5769

by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education Omaha’s own favorite son, Dr. Ron Wolfson, returns to town Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., to talk about his latest book, The Seven Questions You’re Asked in Heaven: Reviewing and Renewing Your Life on Earth. His evening lecture at the Jewish Community Center is free and open to the community.

“The timing of the lecture, just prior to Yom Kippur, fits nicely within the Ten Days of Renewal of the High Holy Days. It will be good preparation for this time of reflection and contemplation,” said Gary Katz, Kripke Library A d m i n i s t r a t o r.

“We are so pleased to have Dr. Ron Wolfson the opportunity to welcome him back to Omaha and fortunate he will share the evening with us.”

In his latest inspiring and thought provoking book, this beloved educator provides an advance copy of his new book.

According to Wolfson, answers to these questions will help readers shape a life of purpose and meaning.

“If you know the questions and apply them to the way you live your life today, then when the time comes, your soul will be ready to take that stairway to heaven, prepared to answer the seven questions with a resounding ‘Yes!’ and take your rightful place among the angels,” says Wolfson.

Whether a believer or non-believer, Wolfson’s book explores the values that are at the heart of a life that matters. With his signature style, he will share his wisdom, culled from Jewish tradition, life experiences, and personal anecdotes.

“Anyone who has enjoyed listening to Ron speak knows that he offers his inspirational messages with funny, insightful and poignant stories of people both ancient and contemporary,” said Dr. Guy Matalon, executive director of the Center for Jewish Education.

Advance praise for The Seven Questions has been effusive. Fr. Steven E. Boes, national executive director of Boys Town wrote, “Wolfson’s latest book poses questions that will provoke you to develop your ‘after-life’ skills. It will lead you into a deeper reflection on your life now from the vantage point of heaven.”

And according to Rabbi Naomi Levy, author of To Begin Again, “He offers us timeless wisdom for living a full and meaningful life. Wolfson has blessed us with a map for finding heaven on earth. He is a masterful guide and the journey he offers us is nothing short of transformational.”

Continued on page 2

Coming Next Month: New Year’s issue on Sept. 18 Monthly Calendar for September: Page 5

Local artist’s work on display in JCC Gallery: Page 6

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 28, 2009

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by RON KAMPEAS Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s settlement policies.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Are the parties in the The Fatah congress had the effect of marginalizing Middle East ready for a U.S. peace plan? Or just for a Mahmoud Abbas, the Fatah leader and Palestinian plan for a peace plan?

Authority president, said American Jewish Committee Talk of a near-term U.S. peace plan was spurred last executive director David Harris. week when a State Department official said one would “Two months ago, President Abbas firmly rejected be in place “within weeks” -- a projection confirmed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s call in his Bar-Ilan within a day by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

University speech to resume direct Israeli-Palestinian “I think it will be in a matter of weeks,” the peace negotiations, and now Abbas ups the ante with spokesman, P.J. Crowley, said in an Aug. 3 briefing when preposterous demands on Jerusalem and other final-stahe was asked when George Mitchell, President Obama’s tus issues,” Harris said. “Why can’t Palestinian leaders envoy to the Middle East, would present a plan. openly recognize the fact that four consecutive Israeli Barak echoed the same message a day later during a prime ministers have offered a two-state solution?” briefing to the Knesset’s Defense and Foreign Affairs Another distraction for the Obama administration was Committee, according to a Reuters report. his awarding of a Presidential Medal of Freedom to “In the coming weeks,” Mary Robinson, the forBarak said, “their plan will mer U.N. human rights be formulated and precommissioner who has sented to the parties.” been blamed in some cirOfficials in the procles for having failed to Israel community and keep the U.N. conference among foreign diplomats on racism in Durban in now say those projections 2001 from becoming an were premature, that anti-Israel fest.

Obama administration That news invited a officials were preparing flood of critiques from the ground for the modalJewish organizational ities of peace talks rather officials who were glad for than a plan with specifics. the break from having to “What we know with explain the court-ordered our contacts with the George Mitchell, center, and leaders in the Middle East, President eviction of Palestinian administration is that they Obama reportedly is set to put forth new proposals for advancing families from Jerusalem Credit: White House/Pete Souza homes they had occupied were satisfied with results Israeli-Arab talks. of conversations Mitchell had in Israel,” a European for decades. diplomat told JTA. “There appears to be some confiThe centrist pro-Israel groups were not about to cede dence in the White House that there is an overall opti- the upper ground. More than 70 U.S. senators this week mism that a breakthrough can be made -- but there is no signed a letter, strongly backed by the American Israel specific plan.”

Public Affairs Commmittee and opposed by some Jewish According to the current scenario, Obama may be groups that favor increased U.S. pressure on Israel, urgready by the start of the U.N. General Assembly in mid- ing Obama to focus on pressuring Arab nations to conSeptember to speak about deadlines and about where ciliate with Israel. A companion letter from the U.S. the talks will take place and who will participate.

House of Representatives was sent to Saudi Arabia’s Specifics, however, have been frustrated by a who- king. blinks-first dynamic that has overtaken U.S. diplomacy The gaps between Israel and its neighbors in the for the time being.

Middle East and between some pro-Israel groups and Arab states want Israel to commit to a settlement the White House here does not mean Obama’s peacefreeze before they announce concessions that would makers will stand down. And Barak, the Israeli defense include allowing Israeli overflights and limited trade. minister, warned his colleagues that they should be ready Israel wants to see the concessions, and a stated recogni- to play along when the White House steps up with a tion of Israel’s Jewish nature from the Palestinians and plan. other Arabs, before it commits to a freeze. And the “Israel must take the lead in accepting the plan,” he Palestinians have said that Israel must freeze settlement was quoted as telling his Knesset colleagues. before they return to the table.

That strategy would put Israel at an advantage, said an Hopes for progress were not helped by the long- official with a pro-Israel group who consults with the delayed congress convened last week by Fatah, the main- Obama administration. stream Palestinian party that controls affairs in the West “That would be very positive for Israel-U.S. relations,” Bank. The congress bogged down in debates over the said the official, from one of the groups that favors tactics of “resistance” as opposed to peacemaking. increased U.S. pressure on Israel.

The belligerence at the conference, with resolutions He noted the recent furor over a leaked memo from demanding all of Jerusalem and accusing Israel of mur- Nadav Tamir, an Israeli diplomat in Boston, who alleged dering Yasser Arafat, belied a readiness for peace and that Netanyahu’s refusal to accept a settlement freeze handed an opening to U.S. pro-Israel groups that have was damaging Israel’s ties with its most critical ally. scrambled in recent weeks for the means to defend Prime The flurry of controversies means the White House is likelier to proceed at a slower, more careful pace, said David Makovsky, a top analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

“There’s no value in coming out with full guns if Continued from page 1 you’re going to fail,” said Makovsky, who has intensely Born and raised in Omaha, he is the son of Alan lobbied the Obama and Netanyahu administrations in Wolfson and the late Bernice Wolfson. He is the recent weeks to consider a “borders first” solution in Fingerhut Professor of Education at the American which Israel and the Palestinians would mutually agree Jewish University in Los Angeles. Throughout his on borders that would allow Israel to keep some settlecareer, Wolfson has visited hundreds of synagogues ments in exchange for land swaps that would amount to across North America as a consultant, teacher and 100 percent of the land Israel seized in the West Bank scholar-in-residence. He serves as president of during the 1967 Six-Day War. Synagogue 3000, an organization that works to creEstablishing borders would hand both sides a “win,” ate synagogues that are sacred and vital centers of Makovsky said: Netanyahu’s government would be the Jewish life. first to annex West Bank settlements, and Abbas’ govThe Seven Questions will be for sale after Wolfson’s ernment would show that it won back land through presentation. Sponsored by the Center for Jewish negotiations, quelling claims by Hamas in Gaza that only Education and the Philip and Ethel Klutznick Chair violence works. It also would help defuse a major stickin Jewish Civilization at Creighton University. For ing point between Jerusalem and Washington, as Israel more information, call 334.6445. would not be asked to freeze settlement construction in Looking ahead, Jewish Book Month returns with territory slated for annexation. the following events: the Jewish Book Month Thorny issues such as Jerusalem and the status of Luncheon is set for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the JCC refugees would still be on the table, but according to this with the author of Rashi’s Daughter, Maggie Anton; theory, the momentum created by resolving borders cost is $20. And best selling author Jeffrey Zaslow would spur such talks forward. will lecture on The Girls from Ames and The Last “It’s like in football,” Makovsky said. “If you can’t go Lecture on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

100 yards, you go 70 yards.”

Seven Questions

August 28, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Turbulent health care debate

Continued from page 1 her with the Obama health care plan’s symbol instead of a yellow star.

“Historically, whenever there are turbulent times, it’s always bad for the Jews,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, and the current environment is “unstable” with “a lot of turbulence.”

Referring to Lange’s video, Hier said, “When there's turbulence, people make sinister remarks, question every motive.”

“The breakdown of civility is normally a danger for minority groups, period,” said Michael Berenbaum, a professor of Jewish studies at American Jewish University in Los Angeles and the project director during the creation of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

“It’s a particular danger for Jews” because “the climate in which we thrive is one where there is security,” he said, noting that the worst period of anti-Semitism in the United States was in the post-Great Depression 1930s, where there was no economic security.

Berenbaum, though, said the fact that the Wall Street financial crisis last fall -and the ensuing Bernard Madoff scandal -- did not result in a wave of antiSemitism is likely a positive sign for the Jewish community.

“All the ingredients for a monumental uptick were there and it didn’t materialize,” he said.

Berenbaum speculated, however, that with an African-American president and a new Latino Supreme Court justice, other minority groups could instead draw the ire of some disgruntled Americans.

Deborah Lipstadt, a modern Jewish and Holocaust studies professor at Emory

University, also said she did not see any specific reason for the Jewish community to be concerned.

“Civil discord is never good for society” and Jews are part of society, Lipstadt said.

But “I’m not willing to go there yet.”

Bill Nigut, Southeast Region director for the Anti-Defamation League in Atlanta, said the “first casualty” of the ratcheting up of the health care debate has been a “respectful democratic process.”

He voiced disgust at the entrance of Nazi symbols and rhetoric, including the painting of a swastika on a sign in front of the office of U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-GA).

“It’s dangerous for all Americans if we can't have civilized debates,” Nigut said.

“You can’t invoke one of the most heinous criminals in the world” when debating the health care system.

The months prior to the health care debate has seen an uptick in activity from militant and extremists groups, which is always a concern for Jews and other minority groups, Nigut said.

Lipstadt, who won a libel suit brought against her in a British court by revisionist historian David Irving, said she was appalled by the use of Nazi analogies in the debate, calling it “dangerous” and a “form of Holocaust denial” because “it’s a denial of what Nazism is.”

She added that she did not think those employing the false analogies were antiSemites, but just had “no shame” and would “say anything to make their point.”

Berenbaum said Nazi analogies are utilized so frequently because the Holocaust is the “negative absolute in contemporary discourse” -- it is something everyone can agree was evil. But he said even Jews overuse Holocaust comparisons when

they compare Yasser Arafat or the president of Iran to Hitler.

Berenbaum also had particular scorn for those comparing the Obama health care plan to Nazi policies.

For instance, he noted that the right to be informed of and consent to one’s medical treatment grew out of the

Nuremberg trials -- because that's “the antithesis of what the Nazis did.”

“The idea that you're entitled to meet with your physician is the embodiment of Nuremberg ethics,” he said.

“Anyone who uses the Nazi analogy,” he said, “has no idea what Nazi medicine was about.”

Kosher deli and movie: what could be better?

by GARY KATZ Library Administrator Hungry for a good movie? Need a deli fix? Satisfy both urges with the popular Dinner and A Movie, featuring the award winning British film, 66. Film critic Jeffrey Lyons says, “One of the best films of the year!” This popular annual event takes place on Sunday, Aug. 30, as part of the Eighth Annual Jewish Omaha Film Festival.

A kosher deli dinner will be served in the JCC Auditorium beginning at 6 p.m. The film follows at 7 p.m. The price for both dinner and the movie is $20.

Tickets for the film alone are $7.

Reservations required for dinner are due by Aug. 27 and can be A scene made by calling the Kripke Carter.

Library at 334.6462.

The film 66, (U.K., 2006, 93 minutes), is about the summer of 1966, and England is about to be consumed by World Cup Fever. But for 12 year-old Bernie the biggest day of his life is looming: his Bar Mitzvah, the day he becomes a man.

Bernie’s family is increasingly distracted by the threat of losing their business and the scale of Bernie’s Bar Mitzvah diminishes daily. Even worse, the World Cup Final

is scheduled to take place on the same day as his Bar Mitzvah. When England makes it through to the qualifying rounds, Bernie’s longed-for gigantic Bar Mitzvah looks set to be a complete disaster.

This special showing of 66 is made possible with the support of the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith.

from the film, 66, featuring Helena Bonham Credit www.66thefilm.com/press.html

Other films being presented at the Jewish Omaha Film Festival includes For My Father, Thursday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m.

JCC Theater.

The Jewish Omaha Film Festival is presented by the Center for Jewish Education and sponsored in part by Lindsey Miller-Lerner for the Avy L. & Roberta L. Miller Foundation. The film, 66 is co-sponsored by the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai Brith.

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Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 28, 2009

Beth El’s Shabbat celebrations for children delight community’s families

may attend ‘Shalom to Shabbat’ without an adult.)

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Now in its third year, “Shabbat Morning LIVE!” will After a summer hiatus, Beth El Synagogue’s lively resume on Saturday, Aug. 29, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Shabbat celebrations for young children will return in This innovative Saturday morning program, led by Cari September, to the delight of families throughout the Green, is sure to put smiles on the faces of every pre-K through second-grade student. SML offers creative and Jewish community. fun opportunities to learn The synagogue’s heartprayers, blessings and warming Friday night Tot Torah study, all introShabbat service will duced through music, return on Sept. 4, 6 puppet theater, dance, p.m., led once again by Shabbat-appropriate early-childhood specialist games and crafts. SML’s “Miss Patty” Nogg. This upcoming programs are interactive service has attracted families from planned for Nov. 14, Jan. throughout the entire 30, Feb. 13, March 20 and May 8.

Jewish community, and is The synagogue’s popular a wonderful way for Saturday morning Shabgrandparents, parents and bat Tunes & Tales, also children of all ages to led by Patty Nogg, will enjoy welcoming Shabbat in a kid-friendly atmos- Grandparents, parents and children join together each month at resume at 11:15 a.m. phere. Tot Shabbat gives Beth El for the synagogue’s joyful Tot Shabbat service. This year’s beginning Sept. 12; sessions will also be held on kids ‘that Shabbat feeling’ first service is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.

Jan. 23, Feb. 27, and through songs, storyMarch 27. Tunes & Tales telling, and rituals learned is a fun-filled sing-along, through hands-on activicustom made for children ties. Ser-vices are followed up to age five and their by a delicious, kid-friendparents. ly dinner for all Tot Finally, a comfy, cozy, Shabbat families - a wonwarm and fuzzy treat is derful way to continue on tap for all Jewish famthe celebration with ilies with children up to friends and loved ones. eight years old and their Upcoming Friday Tot parents, as the synagogue Shabbat services and dinoffers a fun-filled PJ ners are scheduled on Havdalah. On Saturday, Oct. 2, Oct. 30, and Dec. 19, 5:30-6:30 Dec. 4; programs in 2010 will be held on Jan. 8, Patty Nogg, right, assisted by Margie Gutnik, led a lively PJ p.m., a pajama-clad Miss Feb. 5, March 12, April Havdalah earlier this year for young children and their families. Patty will lead this enter2 and May 7. taining evening, filled with music, movement arts and If you have a child who is no longer a tot but not yet crafts and fun -- perfect for families with small children! a pre-teen, then say shalom to Beth El’s newest program, As a special treat, participants will enjoy milk and cook“Say ‘Shalom’ to Shabbat,” which will be held at the ies as special guest Nancy Rips reads an entertaining bedsame time as Tot Shabbat. Geared to children in first time story, sure to enchant all. grade and above, this program will be led by Cari Green, Except for Tot Shabbat dinners, there is no charge to and offers youngsters the opportunity to welcome participate in any Shabbat programs. To RSVP for Tot Shabbat with friends in a casual setting, complete with Shabbat dinners (reservations are required the music, prayers and fun. At the end of the service, this Wednesday before the program), or for more informagroup and the Tot Shabbat families will join together for tion about children’s programming at Beth El, contact closing prayers and songs, followed by dinner. (For fam- Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or proilies with children in both programs, the older children gramming@bethel-omaha.org.

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The 11th annual Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights is on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., in the Thompson Alumni Center on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus. The event was rescheduled from Sept. 15.

Brian Steidle, author of The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness of the Genocide in Darfur, will present the lecture, “Hope for Darfur.”

The Goldstein Lecture is sponsored by the Religious Studies Program at UNO. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The Thompson Center is located at 67th and Dodge on the west edge of the UNO campus. For more information, please contact William L. Blizek, 554.3347.

Champion swimmer Barton “Bucky” Greenberg, who was featured recently in the Omaha World-Herald, competed in the National Masters Long Course Swimming Championships in Indianapolis. He placed first in the 50, 100 and 200 meter breaststroke events in the 85-89-year-old age group.

Greenberg, who trains year ’round at the Jewish Community Center, bested the 2002 American record in the 50 meter event by .2 of a second; and by six full seconds in the 100 meter breastroke record set in 2003. His 100 meter time lowered the world record set by a Japanese swimmer in 2000 by .4 of a second.

When time permits, Greenberg assists with the JCC Wheelers and Sharks swimming team.

The Nebraska Children’s Home Society (NCHS) will feature Sarah Culberson, noted actress, author and

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African princess at its 115th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Omaha Marriott Regency Hotel.

When she was one year old, Culberson was adopted by a West Virginia couple. She attended graduate school at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, and moved to Los Angeles in 2001 to pursue an acting career. At 28, she sought out her birth parents and learned that she was part of a royal family, a princess -the granddaughter of the Paramount Chief of the Bumpe chiefdom, a farming village in the southern province of Sierra Leone. Her biological mother was from West Virginia, and later died of cancer. Her father’s country had been ravaged by civil war, and despite his royal title, her parents were too poor to raise her.

When she located her father, Joseph Konia Kposowa, he invited her to Africa, where she could meet her family and the people of her chiefdom. They met in December 2004. Culberson was given an emerald African dress as a gift, greeted by hundreds of singing and cheering villagers, and given the tribal name Bumpenya, a Mende word for Lady of Bumpe.

Culberson is now a television actress and has cofounded the non-profit Kposowa Foundation with John Woehrle to rebuild Bumpe High School, destroyed by war. Her book, A Princess Found, relates her journey and will help raise money for the region.

Tickets are $75 per person; $150 patron party tickets are still available, featuring exclusive time with Culberson. For more information or tickets, please contact Kathleen Al-Marhoon at 402.898.7785 or kalmarhoon@nchs.org.

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August 28, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

September FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 Beth El Shabbat comes to the RBJH, 2:30 p.m.

Beth El USY LTI; Des Moines, IA, 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 BBYO Worlds of Fun Trip, 8 a.m.

Temple Israel Board of Trustees Retreat, 9 a.m First Day of BESTT for PK-7, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beginning Hebrew, 11 a.m. at Beth El How to Make the High Holidays More Meaningful, 11 a.m. at Beth El RBJH Art Project, 2 p.m.

Film Festival Deli Dinner, 6 p.m.

Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31 JSS Nurse, 8 a.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad House Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m.

BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Bedtime Storytime, 6 p.m. at Chabad JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Rabbis & Presidents Meeting, noon THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

Parsha Club for Kids, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad House Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Jewish Omaha Film Festival, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Visions Board Meeting, 9 a.m.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 You’re Kidding ME!, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mishpacha Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Labor Day Holiday JSS Nurse, 8 a.m.

Labor Day JCC Health & Fitness Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kabbalistic Insights for Women, noon at Chabad TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad House Beth El Clergy Holiday Visit to Remington, 10 a.m.

ADL/CRC Executive Committee Meeting, noon Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m.

Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at FJA BBYO Chapter Elections, 6 p.m.

Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at FJA Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 AIPAC Nebraska Briefing and Lunch, 11:45 a.m.

Partnership with Israel Committee Meeting, noon Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Center for Jewish Education Board, noon Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club for Kids, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad House UNO History Class, 6:30 p.m.

PTO Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to Remington Heights, 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 BBYO Council Campout Departs from the JCC, 5:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Mishpacha Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Kever Avot Services, 11 a.m.

Beginning Hebrew, 11 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Chaverim Activity, 12:30 p.m. at Beth El OTYG Board Meeting, 12:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Temple Israel Club 56 Bowling, 12:30 p.m.

Grandparents Day Celebration, 1 p.m. at RBJH Chabad’s Global Unity Lecture, 2 p.m.

BBYO Council Campout Returns to JCC, 2:30 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Chabad House 4th Annual Challah-thon JSS Nurse, 8 a.m.

YES Luncheon, 10 a.m.

NJHS Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

Kabbalistic Insights for Women, noon at Chabad JFS Project Tzedakah - Rosh Hashanah, 1 p.m.

Federation Executive Board Meeting, 6 p.m.

Curriculum night Grades 1-6, 7 p.m. at FJA Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 JFS Project Tzedakah - Rosh Hashanah, 9 a.m.

Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad House BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Visions of the End Class, 7 p.m.

Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 RBJH Residents Picnic, 11:30 a.m.

NJHS Meeting, 4 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 FJA Tashlich Activities Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel School Directors’ Committee Meeting, noon Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion, 1 p.m. at Kripke Library Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

Parsha Club for Kids, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad House Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 FJA No School Erev Rosh Hashanah SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Rosh Hashanah JCC Closed SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Rosh Hashanah JCC Closed OTYG Yom Kippur Rehearsal, noon at Temple Israel MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Tzom Gedaliah - Fast of Gedaliah JSS Nurse, 8 a.m.

Jewish Book Club Meeting, 10:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad House JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m.

BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Visions of the End Class, 7 p.m.

Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 OTYG Drop In, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel OTYG Yom Kippur Rehearsal, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT High School Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El CDC Parent/Teacher Night, 7 p.m.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Sukkah Building, 7:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad House Foundation Board Meeting, noon Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m.

BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 28, 2009

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by GARY JAVITCH Special to the Jewish Press “For me,” writes Paula Ziegman, “the process of painting is like falling in love .... quietly ... without words. When dreamlike images begin to appear, I trust that a meaningful relationship is forming and soon thereafter I will be able to create a visual story containing poetic energy.”

That tantalizing and romantic vision comes to life in a colorful exhibit of paintings by local artist Paula Ziegman during the month of September in the JCC art gallery.

“Venus Exalted,” the theme of the exhibit, consists of 22 large canvases -- both figurative and abstract -- mixing colors and hues of different gradations and intensity.

A local businesswoman, upon viewing Ziegman’s work, wrote: “Here is an artist who creates works of depth and power from a courageously colorful palette... [offering] a connection to the most radiant aspects of the human heart.”

“Venus Exalted,” an exhibit open to the entire community, represents 10-12 months of work. For those who would like to meet the artist, a reception is being held on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2-4 p.m.

Paula’s History-Family Ziegman graduated from Central High School in 1963. Following one year of college at UNO, she studied in Los Angeles and later Madison, Wis., keeping alive her love of painting but also earning the equivalent of a Master’s degree in Primal Therapy. She then returned to Los Angeles to establish a practice and, as always, to paint.

“In 1989, after twenty-five years in California, I came back to Omaha,” she explained, “I wanted to help my family at a time when my dad, I.B. Ziegman, was attempting to get involved in a new business.”

She also came to help her brother overcome some health challenges and then, in recent years, to care for her mother, Rose, in her final years.

Since her mother’s death, Ziegman has returned full time to painting, realizing the significant part it has always played in her life.

“I remember when I was two or three,” she recalled.

“I was sitting on the living room floor with Dad. He taught me colors with little toy cars. He would carefully enunciate the colors of the cars so I always associated colors with a warm, loving experience. And when I got my first big box of crayons in kindergarten, I thought I was in heaven.”

Other significant influences: “My wonderful first grade teacher at Dundee School, Mrs. Leist, would read to us from Frank Baum’s book, ‘The New Wonderland.’ It was lovely to have my young imagination exposed to such a book. In later years, it was the Pacific Ocean, the sunsets, every one of them different, and the changing colors of the sea; also Gordon Onslow-Ford’s book, ‘Painting in the Instant.’ But the primary influence was always my family’s humor, my mother’s beauty, and just outside our sunroom window,

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the blossoming trees and pastoral setting of Memorial Park.”

Color and Technique “I use the metaphor of Venus in these works not only to express attraction between sweethearts, but more importantly, to encourage looking out into the world from an inner place of loving with a heightened sense of humanity,” Ziegman reflected.

And though her intent is serious, her work “process” is akin to play. “It’s a spiritual practice of sorts” she notes, “and when it is going well, it offers a sense of liberation.”

“I love the entire organically rich activity of the conversation with the canvas. I step out from my mind as much as I can and snuggle into the innocent fresh vision of the child ... inviting the drips of paint, crooked lines and imperfect circles to have their say and to show off their beauty in the composition, becoming welcome additions to the life of the painting. As I paint, I try to remember that there are no mistakes in art, only endless versions of the truth.”

Ziegman begins a painting by putting color all over the canvas, and then adding layers until something “begins to speak to her.” “That’s what makes it exciting for me,” Paula interjected. “When you meet someone for the first time, you can’t begin to fall in love with them until the layers are revealed.” In creating her images, she adds, “as with friendships, I like images with depth, so I add layers and textures until I have what I think is a picture you can look into.”

Vision Statement and Dedication In the Artist’s Statement accompanying this show, Ziegman writes: “In the realm of the human spirit, all things are possible. Within the center of a compassionate heart, Venus is Exalted and we easily may give praise and gratitude to all of life, to our relationships with one another, to the beauty of nature, to our own ever-growing consciousness and potential for enlightenment ....”

“We had always been a close-knit family,” she commented, “so when my brother was facing health challenges, I was here to provide friendship and family support as he had done for me so often all through growing up. He was my best friend and greatest champion when we were both living in California.” His passing at 62 was a tough loss.

“I deeply appreciate the respect and love I received from my family. It allowed my creative tendencies to be nurtured and my sense of self to remain resilient in spite of losses and setbacks,” she added.

“This show is dedicated to them, to my father and to my brother but most of all to my mother who gave me the honor and privilege of serving as her caregiver in the remaining years of her life.”

Ziegman explained, “When Venus is Exalted ... whether one is in a state of joy or difficult transition ... the wisdom and grace available to all of us becomes enhanced and more readily experienced as inner strength and courage.”

The exhibit is at the JCC Gallery through September.

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Lesley and John (Ashley) Buchanan of Rogers, AR., announce the June 4 birth of their daughter, Bentley Lauren, named for her maternal great-grandfather, Ben Magzamin.

Grandparents are Karen and Gary Plotkin, and Patti and James Buchanan of Mt. Pleasant, TX.

August 28, 2009

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Recent high school grads receive Keiser-Stoms Foundation Academic Excellence Scholarships

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN the business side of the fashion industry. An active teen on the varsity pom squad and the varsity tennis team.

Director of Operations & Programming leader who was passionate about her participation in The son of Dan Schuller and Yaffa PodbilewiczThe Center for Jewish Education OTYG, she received the Robert and Ellen Gordman Schuller, Ygal is a graduate of Millard North’s The Financial Aid Committee of the Center for Jewish Teen Leadership Award for 2009. Susan was a National International Baccalaureate program. He was a National Education announced that Susan Freeman and Ygal Honor Society member and was active in DECA, Merit finalist, and a member of National Honor Society.

Schuller are the 2009 recipients of the David Keiser and debate, student government, and dance team plus being Also a 2009 Teen Leadership Award recipient, Ygal has been an active member of Lillian Keiser Stoms both USY and BBYO for the Foundation Education Enpast four years. He is attenddowment Fund for ing the University of Texas Academic Excellence scholin Austin and is enrolled in arship. This is the only merit the McCombs School of based scholarship granted by Business honors business the committee and is based program. strictly on scholarship, with Lillian Keiser Stoms and high school grade point her brother David Stoms averages and SAT/ACT were native Omahans and scores used as the primary this fund was established in measure to determine the their memory by their niece, recipient.

Sally Clayman. In addition Susan, the daughter of to the Academic Excellence Bob and Robyn Freeman, award, two other scholargraduated from Central and will be attending Cornell Cheryl Cooper, Financial Aid Committee Chairman, presents Susan Freeman is a recipient of an Academic Excellence ships were also established in award. memory of David Keiser and University. She will focus on an Academic Excellence award to Ygal Schuller�

Lillian Keiser Stoms: The Lillian Keiser Stoms Educational Fund, which benefits and assists in the education of Jewish youth living in a single parent family or Jewish single parents who have custody of their children; The Omaha Symphony has announced that tickets to ly doubled the number of Casual Classics packages from and The David Keiser and Lillian Keiser Stoms Foundation Education Endowment Fund, which proall 2009-10 performances will go on sale to the public a year ago.�

Friday, Aug. 28. While subscription packages have been The season kicks off Sept. 25-26 with “Passport to vide funding for university scholarships to Jewish youth available for purchase since early spring, this will be the Russia,� an all-Russian MasterWorks program showcas- who have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA. Both funds are awarded based on financial need. first opportunity for patrons to buy tickets on a per-con- ing the flying fingers of pianist Kirill Gerstein.

For information on any scholarship program, please cert basis.

To reserve the best seats, call the Omaha Symphony call the Center for Jewish Education office at 334.6445. “We are really excited about the 2009/10 season and Box Office at 402.342.3560 (open Monday-Friday, 9 Those interested in contributing to or endowing the response we’ve seen from the community. We’ve a.m.-5 p.m.) or order online at www.omahasymphoscholarship funds should contact Marty Ricks, Executive seen a 14% increase in our MasterWorks subscriptions,� ny.org. Patrons can also connect with the Omaha Director of the Jewish Federation Foundation, at said Lex Poppens, Vice President of Marketing. “Plus, Symphony on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

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Page 8

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 28, 2009

Applying non-profit rules to Congress It wasn’t that long ago that this newspaper made reference to this Federation when the newest Star Trek film was released. Since a prominent theme in the movie is the cooperation among the various constituents of the United Federation of Planets, it seemed rather appropriate to once again demonstrate the film’s Jewish themes.

We only bring this up again because of the recent debate on health care in the United States Congress, though the real debate is occurring in homes, workplaces, parties, bars and on the streets of America -- not in congressional committees. Why is that?

Perhaps the answer lies in the difference between the way this Federation operates and the way the Congress seems to be flailing through a debate of major importance.

Case in point: for a number of years, this newspaper has been striving towards the monumental goal of digitizing its archives and developing and launching a new website. To that end, grants have been written and more than $15,000 was raised for digitization and another $39,000 for the website.

Contracts were signed with Innovative Document Imaging of New Jersey to convert microfilm and scan single issues into digital pages of the Jewish Press, dating back to 1920.

Once completed, the Press’ website committee researched national and local firms and eventually signed a contract with Waitt Interactive, an Omaha firm, to develop, design and host the Press’ new website.

Both contracts were thoroughly examined by a lawyer who happens to be a past member of the Press board. Then they were vetted again, this time by the Press Board. And finally, the Press leadership was questioned, not only by the Federation’s Executive Committee, but by its Budget & Allocation Committee. As reported before in these pages, the questions raised were thoughtful and intelligent. The atmosphere was not adversarial, but the questions were not “soft balls” either.

How was the cost determined? How would the funds be raised? How firm were the numbers? Could we be sure of future costs? What about changes in the industry -- or in technology? Did we have recommendations from outside sources? What kind of track record did these firms have? And so on.

The process was thorough and complete, and the Press is well on its way to launch a new, independent website by the end of this calendar year. (And by the way, if you’d like to assist in that effort, we welcome any and all donations!)

Now compare this process with what’s going on with the various health care proposals.

Members of Congress have admitted that most of them have not even read the 1,000+ page bills circulating among various House and Senate committees! But that doesn’t seem to stop them from espousing their support or disgust about the contents.

Nor does it stop them from demonizing the opposition, regardless of which side they favor.

What nonsense!

They’re too busy -or too important to thoroughly examine a bill that has far reaching consequences to our health as well as our pocketbooks?

Maybe one of the reasons the Federation and its committees and the Press and its committee were able to digest the information in our website proposal

is that it wasn’t 1,000 pages! We wouldn’t be so foolhardy as to assume that volunteers have the time or inclination to plow through such lengthy (and admittedly boring) documents.

And we understand the need for concise language and brevity.

So why did Members of Congress even create such unwieldy pieces of legislation? Did they think that because of size of the bills, no one would read them (and therefore they could sneak through provisions they knew we’d all oppose)?

Are they that arrogant? (Okay, don’t answer that one!) Maybe if Congress applied the same Sarbanes-Oxley rules that govern actions of non-profits, they too, would be a little more thoughtful and a lot of more intelligent in the way they conduct (our) business.

Yeah, right.

BEHIND THE H EADLINES

by SHOSHANA BRYEN

The first Fatah “congress” in 20 years is over and the European Union (EU) has transferred another 90 million euros to the Palestinian Authority (PA) treasury. The United States continues to provide money and equipment to the Palestinian army. And the Western vision of a “two state solution” is undimmed by the reality of the voices and resolutions of the Palestinians themselves.

The reality is: “Resistance” received new life from the delegates. “Although peace is our choice, we reserve the right to resistance, legitimate under international law,” Abu Mazen told the assembled. Senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub, asked about a large picture of a boy armed with a rifle prominently displayed at the conference, said Fatah, “has not relinquished the option of armed struggle against Israel,” calling it a “tool at the Palestinians’ disposal.”

The so-called “right of return” was reiterated in the conference platform that also called Fatah a “national liberation movement whose goal is to remove and defeat the occupation.”

In a statement, Fatah said, “we won’t abandon any of our options, and we believe that resistance, in all forms, is a legitimate right of occupied people in confronting their occupiers.”

Lest one think that only the territories of the West Bank and Gaza are considered “occu-

At a “student rally” in honor of Abu Mazen (the PA’s leader -Mahmoud Abbas), young people named Haifa, Jaffa and Tel Aviv as Palestinian cities for which they would be happy to shed blood.

Radaydeh reaffirmed that “armed struggle” will continue depending on how “capable” the PA forces are. Where does that put the loyalty of U.S.-trained Palestinian soldiers? The younger delegates were much more strident than the older ones -- a result of more than 15 years of Fatah-led, EU-funded schooling, portending ill for the future.

At a “student rally” in honor of Abu Mazen, young people named Haifa, Jaffa and Tel Aviv as Palestinian cities for which they would be happy to shed blood. Abu Mazen -- backed by a Fatah resolution -- declared there would be no talks with Israel until AFTER a complete

Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Michael Sigmond, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Eric Dunning; Jason Epstein; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman.

The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press .

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

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Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.

Fatah convenes and the world yawns pied”, the platform noted the “right” of Palestinians to return to their original villages inside Israel.

The Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades, which Abu Mazen claimed had been disbanded, were endorsed by the congress as the Fatah military wing. In an interview, activist Kifah Radaydeh said the PA would resume violence against Israel when Fatah is “capable”, and “according to what seems right... It has been said that we are negotiating for peace, but our goal has never been peace. Peace is a means; the goal is Palestine.”

(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

settlement freeze, lifting the blockade of Gaza and the release of all Palestinian prisoners held

by Israel and 12 other preconditions.

Palestinian leaders warned Arab states not to normalize ties with Israel, as President Obama has requested. “Normalization... before the occupation ends in the Palestinian areas is the last thing that the Palestinians should have to experience,” said a former Palestinian ambassador.

A new Fatah resolution defines Jerusalem as the “eternal capital of Palestine, the Arab world and the Islamic and Christian worlds.”

Fatah pledged to continue to make “sacrifices until Jerusalem returns to the Palestinians void of settlers and settlements.”

The fact is that in hopes of drawing support away from Hamas, Fatah is increasingly and publicly drawn to its radical roots. And the reality for American and European policy makers who think they have the answer to the conflict, is that Fatah, no less than Hamas, believes in Palestine from the River to the Sea and “void” of Jews.

Far from being an appropriate interlocutor for a “two state solution,” Fatah is increasingly and publicly not willing to limit its nationalist aspirations to a rump split state alongside and in between Israel and Jordan, and appears to believe there will be no international pressure to restrain itself -- rhetorically or otherwise.

Shoshana Bryen is the National Security Director for JINSA, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs in Washington, D.CC. Read more at www.jinsa.org.

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Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”

The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing.

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Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, call the Editor, 402.334.6450.

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August 28, 2009

To the Editor: Earlier this month, I traveled approximately 1,100 miles across Nebraska from Scottsbluff to South Sioux City, holding seven town halls, five round tables, and other meetings in 11 counties. I listened closely to Nebraskans’ concerns and there is overwhelming anxiety about health care legislation.

To be clear, I do believe action is needed. Small businesses are struggling to provide health insurance for employees, and many Nebraskans are falling through the cracks. At the Chase County Fair, I heard from a woman whose husband is a trucker with no health care plan. He makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid, is not old enough for Medicare, but has a pre-existing condition so he can’t qualify for health insurance. There are about 12 million people like this across the country, who do not qualify for government programs and have no affordable options. We must find a solution for these people that won’t break the bank.

But current proposals are riddled with bad policy ideas. Expanding the government’s role by forcing unfunded Medicaid mandates on the states and sacrificing crucial Medicare funding is very much the wrong approach. Establishing a government-run option that drives private companies out of business is another bad idea.

Unfortunately, the current reform proposals would put some doctors’ offices and hospitals at risk, and therefore their patients. If doctors in New York retire rather than operate under government rates, there is little impact, but similar retirements in rural Nebraska could have a dramatic effect. Under a one-size-fits-all approach for both New York City and Nebraska City, our state loses.

Can rural hospitals keep their doors open at the Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates the government provides? Doctors and hospital administrators said no. This means private insurance companies have to pay higher reimbursement rates to subsidize government programs. As Washington attempts to shift more people onto government-run insurance, rural doctors and hospitals will struggle to stay open. Health care reform must address this and protect critical-access hospitals.

I am co-sponsoring legislation that would do just that.

It’s a rural hospital and provider equity act that adjusts Medicare rates for rural hospitals and doctors, among other provisions. There are other good ideas about how to bring costs under control and expand access without sacrificing quality care and consumer choice. I support them and I hope my colleagues will seriously consider them instead of ramming a bad bill through Congress.

I continue traveling the state, eager to hear more from you about health care and other important policies.

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Woman To Start Professional Tug-Of-War League THG-09909

Page 9

Reading Obama’s mind (optimistically): Middle East game plans

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

BEXAR COUNTY - Mary Ann W. applied Thera-Gesic® pain creme to her sore shoulder and hands and felt so great she decided to start a professional tug-of-war league. When asked who would be the target audience for the new TOW league, she painlessly replied, “None of your dang business!” ™

Endorsed by:

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

That’s why I offered to talk to Iran “without preconditions,” and why I didn’t close the door to talks even after Iran’s brutal crackdown on its protestors.

But I don’t expect the talks to work. I know Iran’s leaders are pushing hard to develop nuclear weapons and

by LAWRENCE J. HAAS developing longer-range missiles and testing the technology to combine the two. (I get briefed, you know.)

Whoever first said that “no good I’ve also seen how desperate they are to retain their deed goes unpunished” must have been thinking of the power, from that tough Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, Middle East. to that whack job of a President, Mahmoud I’m doing exactly what I promised during the cam- Ahmadinejad. Good grief -- after stealing the election for paign. I’m pressing for peace between Israel and the Ahmadinejad, they’re now turning their guns and their Palestinians, and Israel and the Arab states. I’m trying to goons on their own people! convince the Iranians to scrap their nuclear programs in I’ve said Iran has only until September to talk to us exchange for some economic goodies. about nukes, and I directed Secretary of State Hillary But, jeez, I’m not half as naïve as my critics think. I’m Clinton and Defense Secretary Bob Gates to raise public just trying to force everyone to put their cards on the doubts about whether the talks will bear fruit. table. Everyone wanted me to set a new tone for our forI’m sure Iran’s leaders get the point. Oh, they’re huffeign policy, to be involved, ing and puffing in public ... Israel won’t wait forever before attacking about their nuclear progress, to listen as well as talk.

That’s what I’m doing. but that’s probably because Iran’s nuclear sites, and ... the Saudis and Yes, I’m pushing Israel to they know how vulnerable stop building settlements. other Arab states -- who worry more about they are from the inside and That’s because everyone in Iran than Israel -- will help behind the scenes. the outside. the region thought George They know their economy Bush was in Israel’s hip pocket. I have to show that I’m is in shambles, with soaring inflation and joblessness and not or I won’t be able to push the other side. frequent energy blackouts. They know we could make it Now, where is the other side? Palestinian President worse, and further weaken their grip on power, by preMahmoud Abbas watches me and says he sees no reason venting Iran from getting the refined petroleum from to soften his tone. The Saudis say they won’t do any- abroad that it desperately needs. They know Congress is thing to forge an Arab-Israeli peace, either. Everyone pushing for restrictions on such imports and that we’re thinks that, if they dig in, I’ll push Israel harder. They talking up the idea with the Europeans. don’t see this as give-and-take.

They also know that Israel won’t wait forever before Fine, but I’m not (pardon the expression) “stupid.” I attacking Iran’s nuclear sites, and that the Saudis and don’t have time to waste. My agenda outside the Middle other Arab states -- who worry more about Iran than East is big enough -- from rescuing the economy to Israel -- will help behind the scenes. reforming health care to cutting the deficit so that China We’ll help, too, if we need to. That will both prevent doesn’t get spooked by all the red ink and flee the dol- Iran from getting nukes and also repair our relations lar, which would kill our economy. with Israel.

America’s Jewish leaders don’t get it, either. When I No, I’m not naïve. met with them in July, I assured them that I’m pushing the other side. I later heard complaints that I hadn’t Lawrence J. Haas, a former White House communiinvited Israel’s strongest backers to the meeting. cations strategist, award-winning journalist, and Guess what? My staff set it up. I’m a bit too busy to author, writes widely about foreign and domestic check the guest lists for my meetings beforehand. affairs. Communications Director and Press Secretary I’m not naïve about Iran, either. for Vice President Al Gore, Haas served as his Bush said he wasn’t going to let the Iranians get spokesman. He also was Communications Director for nuclear weapons. I wish he hadn’t. Were they to get the White House Office of Management and Budget, them on my watch, everyone would blame me. I don’t speaking for the Clinton Administration in TV, radio, want that to be my legacy. Who would? and print interviews. After his government work, Haas But, after we invaded Iraq in 2003, the world thought became Director of Public Affairs and Special Assistant we were trigger-happy, always ready to bomb rather than to the President at Yale University. talk. I have to change that perception or we’ll continue His articles have appeared in The New York Times, to have problems around the world.

USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun, So I can’t immediately tighten the screws economical- Miami Herald, and many other publications. He has ly on Iran or publicly endorse an Israeli attack on its appeared on FOX, CNN, CNBC, C-SPAN, NPR, BBC, nuclear sites. I have to show the world that I’m trying Voice of America, and many local TV and radio shows. everything to convince Iran to forget nukes. © 2009 North Star Writers Group.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 28, 2009

Candlelighting Friday, August 28, 7:44 p.m.

Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org

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Your ad can go here... to reserve space,

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Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Shabbat at the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. Join Rabbi Levin, Cantor Schlossberg and the residents; Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.

Halle Unger, daughter of Alan Unger, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Friday evening and Saturday morning SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:55 p.m.

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

SUNDAY: Classes for grades Pre-K-7 begin on Sunday, 10 a.m. Following classes, BILU USY will sponsor a back-to-school luncheon for parents and students. Cost: $5 for adults (ages13 and older), $3.50 for children ages 5-12, and no charge for children under five. Rabbi Levin will lead How to Make the High Holidays More Meaningful on Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. No charge to attend; open to everyone in the Jewish community. To RSVP, contact the office.

BEGINNING HEBREW: Weekly adult-education class led

by Eadie Tsabari, Sundays, 1011a.m., beginning Aug. 30.

Cost: $36 for Beth El members, $45 for non-members, plus the cost of the textbook. To register, call the office, or e-mail programming@Bethel-omaha.org.

MEN’S CLUB SOFTBALL SERIES: Next game, Aug. 30, 10 a.m., at the JCC ball field. You don’t have to be a Men's Club member to play. For more information, contact Scott Simon at simonsz@cox.net or 616.4089.

TOT SHABBAT AND SAY SHALOM! TO SHABBAT: These fun-filled, monthly services on Friday Sept. 4, 6 p.m. servic-

es and 6:30 p.m. dinner. Open to families in the Jewish community.

For reservations made by Sept. 2, cost is $5 per person for Beth El members; $7.50 for non-members. After that date, cost is $10 for Beth El members; $15 for non-members. No charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, call the office, or email programming@bethel-omaha.org.

ROSH HASHANAH AT REMINGTON: Join Rabbi Levin and Cantor Schlossberg on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 3:30 p.m. as they lead the residents in an early celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m.

THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Please contact Shevi@ochabad.com with any questions or to receive a guest pass.

All events and programs are open to the entire community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN

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, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; “Guard Your Tongue”, “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up) one hour prior to Mincha, 7:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:45 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:45 p.m.

TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m.

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

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, noon.

Please contact Shevi@ochabad. com to receive a guest pass.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth

Lincoln Mayor’s interfaith breakfast features author

by JEWISH PRESS Staff Join the Jewish community of Lincoln for the 2009 Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast with Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea on Tuesday, Sept.

22, 7:30 a.m. (doors open 7 a.m.) at the Holiday Inn, 9th and P Sts. in Lincoln.

The Jewish Federation of Lincoln would like to sponsor a table for this breakfast, which consists of 10 reservations.

Members of the B’nai Jeshurun and Tifereth Israel who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to the Temple office (402.435.8004) and send a check for $20 per person payable to “Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast” by Wednesday, Sept. 9 to South Street Temple, 2061 So. 20 St.,

Lincoln, NE 68502.

The Federation will be listed as a sponsor in the printed program.

The program will include a solo

by Ben Merliss.

The featured speaker, Greg Mortenson, is co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Central Asia Institute.

Since 1993, he has dedicated his life to promoting communitybased education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He is founder of Pennies for Peace and co-author of the #1 New York Times best seller, Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace ... One School At A Time. The Honorary Chairman of the event is Mayor Chris Beutler.

Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Peaceful Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Amy Zlotsky.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel.

SUNDAY: Indoor Clean-up morning, 9 a.m.-noon at the temple.

THURSDAY: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m.; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m.

August Back-to-School Supplies Drive: The Social Action Committee is collecting school supplies to donate to Saratoga Elementary School. Bring your items to the Social Hall.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Beth Israel Members; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Nancy Rips and Andy Greenberg.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg and assisted by Zach Bram.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Cantor Wendy Shermet; Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel.

Dinner is $5 for adults and children at no charge. Please contact Maureen Kube in the office or mkube@templeisraelomaha.co m, to make a reservation..

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Jacob Arnold, son of Brenda and Barton Arnold, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: Board of Trustees Retreat, 9 a.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal (New choir members only), 1 p.m..

TUESDAY: Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: CSA delivery for shareholders, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at South entrance; Grades 11/12 Orientation, 6:30 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.; Hillel sponsored welcome reception to new UN-L Omaha Jewish students, 3 p.m. in 316 Seaton Hall.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study.

SUNDAY: Major Donor event for the Jewish Federation of Lincoln, 7-8:30 p.m. at the home of Dr. Larry and Julie Widman, 8801 Augusta Dr. RSVP to Donna Hersch at 483.7331 or dhersch@neb.rr.com.

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066.

JEWISH PRESS EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor day; the deadline for the Sept. 11 issue is Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. for all articles, ads, and photos.

The Press will publish the New Year’s issue on Sept. 18, 2009, entitled “What we did THAT summer!”

All lists of marriages, births and deaths, as well as board lists and synagogue schedules for Rosh Hashanah are due immediately. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

To Submit B’nai Mitzvah Announcements Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, by e-mailing the editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org or online at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press.’

Submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Federation website: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press,’ scroll down to ‘Submit Announcements, and complete form.

August 28, 2009

More about man

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Ki Tetze Last week, we commented about “the nature of man”.

We said that he was selfish and wanted everything everyone else had.

Among the things that he wanted, but was told he couldn’t have, was anything his neighbor had, including his wife. But in our present Sidra, the Torah permits him to yield to his sexual urges -- but only under certain conditions.

The Sacred Text suggests a situation that armies, that is to say, successful armies, have been subject to generation after generation, century after century.

It was commonplace for conquering armies to mistreat captured women, all for the “glory of g-d and nation.”

But the Torah, in our sidra, demands strict attention to civilized behavior: if a man sees a beautiful woman among the captives, he must give her 30 days to mourn for her father and mother (and other family members) and try to adjust to her new situation.

Even then, however, the man is permitted to take her, but only as his wife, not simply as a sex object.

Historically, this moral sensitivity of the Sacred text has not been felt by conquering armies. Indeed, commanders have given their troops permission to have sexual relations with captured women -- and occasionally demand that their soldiers use protection against unwanted pregnancies.

Now and then, I have suggested to students who complain about reading “that old stuff” to read these sections of Torah. The urges of the human male have not changed, but the Torah tries to demand self control during the waiting period and ethical conduct.

Everyone in the chain of command in our armies ought to be required to read these few verses in our current Sidra.

Roman mansion uncovered

by EDGAR ASHER JERUSALEM (ISRANET) -- It seems today that archaeological finds in Jerusalem are being discovered one after the other. Each new find enables archaeologists and historians to piece together the rich tapestry of history that makes Jerusalem such an historic and unique city.

An aerial view shows the partly excavated Roman mansion discovered in the City of David Archaeological Park.

Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority Excavations of the huge City of David archaeological park, immediately outside the present walls of the Old City, by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) revealed the uncovering of a huge 1,000 square meter, third century CE, opulent Roman mansion in the City of David Archaeological Park.

According to Dr. Doron Ben-Ami, the IAA excavation's director, “Of particular interest is that up until now, archaeologists believed that the city’s Roman ruins extended only to the edge of the Old City walls constructed by the Ottomans. However, this discovery would strongly suggest that previous Roman construction may have in fact stretched as far as the bottom of the Silwan Valley.”

The discovery of the Roman building was all the more surprising because Dr. Ben-Ami did not expect to find such Roman remains and certainly not as big as the 1,000 square meters already revealed.

The building was probably destroyed in a massive earthquake that may have hit Jerusalem in 363 CE. In the early stages of the excavation earlier this year, a marble figurine of a Roman boxer was found and a gold earring inlaid with precious stones.

DEATHS LOU KLEIN Former Omahan Lou Klein died Aug. 11 in Pembroke Pines, FL. He was 96.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Cooper Klein.

He is survived by his daughters, Cindy Klein of London, Diane Klein of California, and Paula Nieves of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Memorials to charity of choice, or in care of the family, 800 So. Hollybrook Dr., #310, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025.

LEONARD CHRIS KRASNE Leonard Chris Krasne died Aug. 12 at the age of 96.

Services were held Aug. 18 at Temple Israel Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Krasne.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Randy Endelman; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Debbie Krasne of Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren, Jamie and Troy Meyerson, Tony Endelman, Amy and Jay Nielsen, Julie Grimes; six great-grandchildren; and sister and brother-in-law, Rhoda and Pete Milder.

Memorials to Temple Israel or the Blumkin Home.

HELEN FINKEL Helen Finkel died Aug. 19 at the age of 87. Services were held Aug. 21 at Bikur Cholim Cemetery in Council Bluffs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Joel and Lois Finkel, and Ronald Finkel and Linda Blumel of Scottsdale; grandchildren, Kevin and Christ Finkel of Gladwyne, PA, and Marti and George Poulos; two great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Arlene Hershorn of Wichita, KS. Memorials to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

MARIE HAM Marie Ham died at the age of 88. Services were held Aug. 23 at BHH/Fisher Farms Cemetery.

She is survived by her daughter, Alyce Ham; and son, Ralph Ham. She was owner of the Long and Slim restaurant in South Omaha, and Ham’s Bellevue Bar. Memorials to Beth Israel or charity of choice.

GWEN COHN Gwen Cohn died Aug. 17 in Scottsdale at the age of 82. Services were held there on Aug. 20.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Theo (Ted) Cohn; and her son, Michael.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Linda Cohn, Jeff and Kathy Cohn of Phoenix; and daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn Cohn and Stuart Sherman of Phoenix; five grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren.

Memorials to Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.

JOE WOLFSON Former Omahan Joe Wolfson died Aug. 12 in Los Angeles. He was 90. Graveside services were held Aug. 14 at B’nai Abraham/Fisher Farms Cemetery.

Wolfson served in the United States Army during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Leona Wolfson of Los Angeles; and nieces and nephews.

Memorials to the City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010, or the Parkinson’s Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9 Ave./Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 331361494.

Pulverent e

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Before someone offers you alcohol or other drugs, decide what you are going to say.

Page 11

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Wayne Area Economic Development is seeking an Executive Director Travel is required. Salary is competitive. Position reports to the 14 member Wayne Area Economic Development Board. Manage all office staff. Residing in Wayne required within 3 months of appointment. Committed to economic continuing education.

Resume and cover letter can be mailed or emailed to Wayne Area Economic Development Board, P.O.B. 275, Wayne, NE 68787, 402-375-2240, info@wayneworks.org

Statewide Classified ADOPT: WE are a devoted, loving couple who would be honored to raise your newborn with warmth, security, educational opportunities & endless love. Expenses paid. Please call Mary Anne & Jack @ 877-297-4304.

ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! For $210/25 word classified you can advertise in over 175 Nebraska newspapers. For more information contact the Jewish Press at 3346448 or call 1-800-369-2850.

NEBRASKA ANGUS Tour - September 18-19. Visit Angus ranches throughout Central Nebraska. For registration and more information check out the website at www.nebraskaangus.org or call 308-577-6700.

SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 800-3692850 to place your ad on the national www.midwestclassiccars.com web site for only $25.00. Your ad runs until your vehicle is sold!

BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates.

Statewide filing. No office appointments necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-8728327. www.steffenslaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code.

2,397 ACRES ranch land, east of Custer, SD, near Black Hills. Good water, French Creek, scenic, sells September 9. Absolute auction, Arneson Auction Service, 605-7982525, www.arnesonauction.com.

A SPECIAL government loan for manufactured homes. Ask about $8,000 stimulus money. Zero down for land owners. Call today for pre-approval, 800-375-3115.

BEAUTIFUL BRICK ranch; 4 bedroom, 3 bath, finished basement, main floor laundry, large lot 150x200 feet, fenced backyard at 300 S. 2nd St., Elgin, NE. $110K OBO, 303423-4328.

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COFFEE: SAVE 10, 20, 30% every day at www.goodsip.com. Handpicked and imported from farms throughout the world. Fresh roasted, always organic. That’s Good Sip Coffee!

FIND BUSINESSES you can trust. Better Business Bureau Member Directory.

Available now! 800-649-6814, bbb.org.

FOOTBALL BOOK stories told by players Sammy Baugh, Doak Walker, Donny Anderson and many more. Don Holst, 16120 Hwy. 385, Chadron, NE 69337. $25.00 ppd. 308-432-4508.

FOR SALE: pasture or recreational land with large wetland, electric well, new fence.

164.7 acres near Holdrege, NE. Excellent wildlife habitat. Internet bids only, bids accepted 8/14-9/14/09. For details, go to www.ducks.org/landsales.

HOT TUB floor model sale. $995 to $3,995. Walk-in bathtubs $3,995 up. Saunas $1,995 to $2,695. Town Center Showcase, Lincoln, NE. goodlifespa.com, 1-800-8690406.

LIQUIDATING - PALLET racking uprights, 9’-13’, 18’x 44’ deep. Crossbeams 10’ long.

5,300 lb. capacity per pair. Big Rack Shack, 308-440-7286.

NEBRASKA’S JUNK Jaunt, September 25-27, 2009. Three hundred mile garage sale, 32 towns, 400 vendors. Shopper guides, $7, www.junkjaunt.com or by mail: PO Box 21, Burwell, NE 68823. 308-346-4815.

To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press:

PORTABLE STORAGE unit, 8’x8’x20’ secure, weather tight, delivered to your location. $150 per month plus refundable security deposit payable on delivery. 888-632-1040.

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return).

Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.

Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

SELECT HANCOCK Breeders horse sale 8-30-09, 12:00 CST. Kearney Livestock Market, Kearney, NE. Bid online: www.LMAAuctions.com. Includes Blue and Red Roan with some of highest Joe Hancock/Blue Valentine bloodlines. 308-383-0039, 308-3465213.

A TRAVEL job: a great first job, over 18, travel coast-to-coast with young co-ed business group. $500 signing bonus. Return guaranteed. Call Shirley, 1-866-466-4540, www.freetotravelusa.com.

DANCE TEACHER position available! Will offer Ballet, Tap, Jazz & Hip-Hop. New Studio located in McCook, NE. Call 308-340-6300 or email divinefilms@gmail.com to apply.

LOOMIX FEED supplements is seeking Dealers. Motivated individuals with cattle knowledge and community ties. Contact Kristi @ 800-870-0356/kboen@loomix.com to find out if there is a Dealership opportunity in your area.

MYSTERY SHOPPERS wanted for restaurant locations all over Nebraska (several remote locations). Apply online at http://www.trendsource.com, then email hsandifer@trendsource.com if you’re interested and available.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

August 28, 2009

201

A U G U S T 1 ST– 6 TH

Get in the

Game!

h t s s o r c s Help u

Join us in making the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games in Omaha an experience that will have a lasting impact on our entire Jewish Community.

We need everyone’s support!

*as of August 24, 2009

Fundraising Goal $500,000

Chai Family

Kesef (Silver)

Maccabi Fan

$5,000–$9,999

$100–$999

Anonymous

Anonymous Ike & Roz Friedman Foundation Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation Javitch Family Judy & Keith Josephson Steve & Patty Nogg

Anonymous Aryeh & Elyce Azriel Margaret Block Rachel Blum Pamela E. Brodkey Arlene & Paul Cohen Beth Cohen & Harry Berman Cheryl & Ron Cooper Tippi & Steven Denenberg Laurie & Jason Epstein Jim & Jill Folsom Beth Friedman & Jeff Dworkin Ann & Donald Goldstein Jan & Howard Goldstein Andie Gordman & Dan Fitzgerald Danielle & Jeff Gordman Ideal Pure Water Nancy, David, Justin, Ben, Sara and Rachel Jacobson Richard & Joanie Jacobson Philip & Esther Katz Carol & Mike Katzman Milton & Marsha Kleinberg Marvin & Sandra Kohll Diane & Larry Malashock Julie & Mark Martin Mike, Ducky, Emily & Abby Milder Mutual of America Brian & Jaime Nogg Kelly & Jeff Nogg Sheila & Marvin Polikov Iris & Marty Ricks Nancy Rips Rosalie & Milt Saylan Sherry & Larry Shapiro Nick & Karen Spellman Dr. & Mrs. Charles Taylon

$18,000 & above

Epstein Family Harold and Etta Paul, Sandy, Kari, Brandon, Cory Gary, Lisa, Robert, Andrea, Ben and Alex

$400,000

$326,000 65% towards our goal!

$300,000

Erman/Miller/Rockman Family Jill and Mike Erman Lori and Michael Miller Stacey and Jonathan Rockman

Fellman/Sullivan Family Tom and Darlynn Fellman Louri, Charlie, Rachel, Josh, Samantha and Tommy Sullivan

Sheldon & Kim Gallner Family Sheri, Ali & Steve Idelman Jewish Federation of Omaha Sharon & Howard Kooper Lehr Family

$200,000

Joanie and Marty Lehr Sandy and John Lehr Susan Lehr Cindy and Bruce Goldberg

Phillips Family

$100,000

s i h l n i ne! fi e

Dorothy Riekes; Zoë & Carl Riekes; Margo & Steve Riekes Kimberly & Andrew Robinson Brenna, Sydney and Brett

Frances & Sam Fried

Zahav (Gold) $10,000–$17,999

Kirshenbaum Family Maxine and Joe Sharon, Jeff, Alyssa and Lauren

The Redwoods Group

Arad (Bronze) $1,000–$4,999

Susan & Jeffrey Aizenberg Baer Foundation Jack & Judy Baker Carol & Steven Bloch Ruth & Joe Erman Amy & Sandy Friedman Glazer Family Linda & Nelson Gordman Special Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Larry & Debbi Josephson Fran & Rich Juro Kohll’s Pharmacy & Homecare Jody & Neal Malashock Murray H. & Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation Omaha Sports Academy Jeff & Laurie Epstein, Alec, Cali & Sophie

Marcia & Steve Pitlor Proud & Anonymous Morton A. Richards Foundation Jan & Les Schneiderman Beth & Harley Schrager Lisa Shkolnick Andrea & Michael Siegel VJ & Angela Skutt Catholic High School Strategic Air & Space Museum University of Nebraska at Omaha Tom & Shohreh Vann Judy Vann & grandchildren

Ernie Wintroub

Count us in!

We’re excited to join others in supporting the Omaha JCC Maccabi Games in 2010 with a gift of:

U Chai Family

$18,000 & above

U Zahav (Gold) $10,000–$17,999

Please indicate how you would like your name listed in our JCC Maccabi Games Recognition Publicity.

Address___________________________________________

Name:__________________________________________

Email:_____________________________________________

City_____________________ State_____ Zip_____________ Phone:_________________ Work Phone:________________

U Kesef (Silver) $5,000–$9,999 U Arad (Bronze) $1,000–$4,999 U Maccabi Fan $100–$999 Amount Pledged: $______________________

To make a donation and join our team, please return this pledge card to the Jewish Community Center, Attention: Lisa Shkolnick or Jeffrey Aizenberg, 333 S. 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154.

Or email or phone in your pledge to jaizenberg@jccomaha.org or 334-6417.