Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Murray Newman tells it like it is
August 31, 2012 13 Elul 5772 Vol. 92 | No. 49
This Week
Join the Mainstreeters September activities Page 8
Beth El offers reflection and celebration during High Holidays Page 9
by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha Almost two years ago, Murray and his wife, Sharee, were awarded the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Humanitarian Award. At that time, he was reminded of his brother Nick’s remarks as president of the Federation in 1972, “I feel a valid, important and meaningful life is possible here in Omaha... in a little community we can communicate with each other, we can work together. We can create something vital and creative.” Murray thought his brother’s words were appropriate in 1972, applicable in 2010 and today, in 2012, even more so. “We can secure our financial future, and we will, but there is more to keeping this community strong and healthy. Who will walk our campus and populate our hallways in the future?” Newman had said in 2010. Murray Newman leads the way by example. Since 1987, when he and his wife, Sharee, established the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation, grants have been awarded to the ADL/CRC to run its prejudice elimination workshop, BBYO for its Teen Mitzvah Day, to the JCC’s Maccabi Games, NCJW’s
Murray Newman Dictionary Day program, and the JFS Tzedakah project, to name just a few. Every agency and program on campus is touched, and every community member benefits from their generosity and commitment. This year, Murray takes on the chairmanship of the Pacesetter Division for the 2013 Annual
Express yourself at the ArtRoom Some Bedouins still feel obligation to serve Israel Page 16
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press The ArtRoom, located in Rockbrook Village, is owned and operated by Kim Noddle. Together with Anne Twedt, she teaches art classes in a variety of media, to a vari-
ety of age groups. It’s an educational studio, where visitors can immerse themselves in anything from sewing to painting to recycled art. Kim graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in elementary education. While teaching in Omaha and starting a
C amp ai g n . Together, with Anne Shackman, the Lion of Judah Chair, they are setting a new course for Campaign solicitation; emphasizing families and a couples’ approach to Campaign giving. The following is a Q&A with Murray about the new approach: What makes Pacesetters important to you? The Pacesetter Division of the F e d e r a t i o n’s Annual Campaign defines the final of the result Campaign. So goes the Pacesetters... so goes the Campaign. The 91 cards comprising last year’s Pacesetter Division contributed 58% of the 2012 Campaign. It is no secret that during the last several years, the Federation’s Annual Campaign has struggled to even meet the prior year’s results. We MUST do better in 2013, or we
risk programs and services being reduced, and support to Israel and international Jewry through the Jewish Federations of North America will be reduced. I am pleased and proud to lead the Pacesetters’ effort. We have had a year’s worth of change at the Federation. Let’s make this year, a year of change for the Annual Campaign. And, let’s begin with the Pacesetters’ Division of the Men’s Campaign achieving record results. How can you make a difference now? I intend to do a number of things differently in this year of Campaign change. First, I plan to work more closely than ever before with the Lion of Judah Division of the Women’s Campaign. In fact, I’ve already started. The brilliant Anne Shackman and I have met several times to discuss a much closer collaboration than has ever existed before. Second, we are scrapping the old and tired concept of a Pacesetters Kickoff event. Instead, very shortly, Anne and I will be announcing an exciting and new joint kick-off for our two Divisions. Stay tuned for our announcement. Anne, myself, and the Federation Campaign staff are discussing the Continued on page 2
JCC Gallery hosts Jewish Artist Showcase by LYNN BATTEN Gallery and Publicity Manager During the month of September, the JCC Gallery will host the first annual Omaha Jewish Artist
en by a desire to recognize some of the local artistic talent that exists in the Omaha Jewish community. “I had seen the work of many local visual artists who also hap-
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
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Next Month Rosh Hashanah Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
L Randall Nogg’s Something Wicked family with husband Jay, she earned her Master’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Kim is an educator, first and foremost: “Anything I do, I do with the student in mind. It’s all about the learning process, and I love watching kids and adults during that process.” Kim has taught classes out of her home for the past four years, and Continued on page 2
Showcase. This exhibit will feature 12 local Jewish artists working in their medium of choice. Mediums in this exhibit will include fiber art, photography, painting, glass art, bronze sculptures, mixed media and papíer-maché. Event co-organizers, Beth Brown-Gershovich and Marge Bresel, are excited to bring this event to the community. The inspiration for this event was driv-
pened to be Jewish. They all create outstanding art. I thought it would be a nice idea to pay tribute to them and feature all of their diverse talents. In my professional background I have 21 years of event planning, so organizing an event to make it happen came naturally to me,” said BrownGershovich. “Our goal for this exhibit was simple. We wanted to Continued on page 2