Vol. LXXXV No. 51 Omaha, NE
Omaha Says “L’Hitraot” to JCC Shaliach
Celebrating 85 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
8 Elul, 5766 September 1, 2006
Noggs to Lead 2007 Federation Campaign of one dollar a week was really important.” by LISA LIEB Since then, Patty has become involved in many differFederation Communications Director When Patty and Steve Nogg signed on to be 2007 ent areas of the Omaha Jewish community, including Annual Campaign Chairmen, it was with the commit- various Federation campaign roles. “I’ve been everything from worker to capment and passion we’ve tain, Lion’s Chairman to come to expect. Campaign Women’s “Patty and I see ourChairman,” says Patty, selves as the ‘head cheer“so serving as Campaign leaders.’ We’re here to Co-chairman seems a natlend our help in any way ural fit. And it really feels we can, mostly by providgood doing something ing guidance and encourtogether with Steve.” agement to the very capaOne of Steve’s most ble and talented women’s memorable volunteer and men’s campaign leadexperiences involved the ers,” says Steve. Russian resettlement pro“‘Live Generously’ is gram, when he chaired the campaign theme the employment commitagain this year,” he adds. tee. “This project really “When I think of Omaha, inspired me,” Steve I think of people who recalls. really appreciate what a Steve and Patty Nogg, 2007 Campaign Chairmen “These families came wonderful community we
Uri Levin watches a video covering his two-year stint here as Omaha’s first full-time shaliach at Tuesday night’s farewell reception; more than 300 attended. On staff at the Jewish Community Center, Levin worked with teens in BBYO, area synagogues and the ARTZA trip to Israel, preschoolers at the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center; he formed a Hebrew speakers’ club and more. His replacement, Zohar Winer, has already arrived in Omaha.
have. They want to ‘give something back’ by donating both their dollars and their time through volunteerism.” Unlike her Omaha-born husband, Patty grew up in Council Bluffs. She wasn’t introduced to the Federation until she was newly married and living in Omaha. “I remember being asked for my very first gift some 30 years ago,” Patty shares. “I felt comfortable, welcomed to the group of Omaha women, feeling like my first gift
Mideast Expert Asks “Where Will the Israeli-Lebanese War Take Us?” in Community Lecture
Part I: 9-11, FIVE YEARS LATER
The Lie That Just Won’t Seem to Die: That Jews Were Behind 9-11 Attacks by RICHARD GREENBERG finding for the AntiDefamation League. NEW YORK (JTA)-The terrorist attacks of The phenomenon might seem baffling, if Sept. 11, 2001, are synonymous with wanton not disturbing, but its destruction. But they also practical impact is produced an offshoot unclear. that seems virtually indeThe Internet is the structible. chief incubator and disIn addition to causing seminator of apocryphal massive loss of life, the 9-11 story lines, and attacks spawned a host of cyberspace remains awash anti-Semitic conspiracy with chatter purporting theories that implicated to link the Jews with the Jews and Israel in the America’s worst terrorist bloodshed. attacks, according to As it turns out, those Pitcavage. canards were not fleeting But the same mesexpressions of paranoid sage, he added, is being fantasy that dissipated A wall outside the New York Armory, a central gathering place for spread through books, once the were debunked. families of those missing in the 9-11 World Trade Center terrorist pamphlets, videos and On the contrary, nearly attacks, is covered with fliers posted by loved ones clinging to hope speakers. five years later, the vari- bearing photos and descriptions of those who didn’t come home, The purveyors are an ous “Jews-did-it” scenar- on Sept. 14, 2001, in Manhattan. Credit: Michael J. Jordan/JTA eclectic aggregation that ios emanating from the wreckage of the World Trade spans the geopolitical spectrum. They include neo-Nazis Center and the Pentagon have proven stubbornly and other white supremacists in the United States and resilient. elsewhere; anti-government zealots; young anti-war “If anything, they’re flourishing,” says Chip Berlet, activists; Holocaust deniers; Lyndon Larouche supportsenior analyst at Political Research Associates, a liberal ers; New-Age ideologues; propagandists and journalists think tank based in Somerville, MA. within the Arab and Muslim world; and assorted devo“The idea that Jews were somehow involved in 9-11 tees of the early-20th-century forgery, “The Protocols has now become a permanent feature in the conspiracy of the Elders of Zion,” which purports to document a pantheon, like the JFK assassination and the Oklahoma Jewish plan to dominate the world. City bombing,” says Mark Pitcavage, director of fact- Continued on page 3
Inside Opinion Page see page 16
This Week: Special Section on Israel Emergency Campaign: Pages 9-12 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’
Part III: Omaha Couple Gets First Look at Damage in Israel : Page 8
here with nothing, determined to do everything they could to make a better life for their family. It enlightened me about how lucky I am. The Russian resettlement program involved a huge committee and was a collective experience I’ll never forget. It really shows that when you work as a team, you can do phenomenal things.” To kick off the 2007 campaign Patty joined Sharon Continued on page 7
by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator Center for Jewish Education A conversation in early August between Steve Riekes and Dr. Guy Matalon about the most recent conflict in Israel has led to the invitation of a top analyst in Middle East politics to Omaha. Dr. Kenneth Stein was at the top of the list. Just one week after that first Dr. Kenneth Stein conversation, Dr. Stein was booked and planning was underway. “Where Will the Israeli-Lebanese War Take Us?” will be the topic of Dr. Stein’s lecture to the Omaha community on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m., in the Jewish Community Center Theater. “In light of the recent conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah, everyone has questions on where Israel will go from here,” said Riekes. “This will be an outstanding opportunity for the community to hear Dr. Stein give his impressions on this topic. He is a true expert in the field, respected by people around the world for his insight and expertise.” Dr. Stein is the William E. Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science and Israeli Studies at Emory University, the Director of the Middle East Research Program, and the Director of the Institute for the Study of Modern Israel. An author, writer, teacher, and lecturer, his academic interests and scholarly publications focus on 20th century Palestine, contemporary Arab politics, modern Israel, Europe, the United States and the Middle East, the Arab-Israeli peace process, and U.S. foreign policy toward the region. Continued on page 2
Coming This Month: New Year’s Issue
Teen Age Features Stories from Israel: Pages 14-15
Lewis and Clark Festival Opens at Blumkin Home: Page 20
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
Temple’s New Rabbi to be Installed, New Members Honored
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NJHS Publishes History of Jewish South Omaha
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El Yachad, 1:30 p.m. at Royals Baseball Game C L I P & S A V E
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 JCC Holiday Hours 9-5 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Eye on Israel, noon at Kripke Library BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Federation Board Meeting, 6 p.m. Creating Your Own Book of Life class, 7 p.m. taught by Daniel Christensen at Beth El Federation Volunteer Award Ceremony, 7:30 p.m.
C L I P & S A V E
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Abba, Eema and ME, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El
C L I P &
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Women of the Torah class with Rabbi Gross, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Walk-in Drop-in, 10 a.m. Yiddush Group, 1 p.m. Open House/Ice Cream Social, 6:30 p.m. at Friedel Jewish Academy ADL Youth Leadership Mission, 7 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Advanced Parshah Study with Rabbi Gross, 9 p.m. at Beth Israel
S A V E All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events. To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)
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we have spent with Rabbi Linder during the summer, I by CLAUDIA SHERMAN am extremely excited about having him, in addition to Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “I wasn’t quite sure where I would begin my rabbinic our Cantor Wendy Shermet, as part of the clergy team. career,” said Rabbi Eric Linder, recently ordained at Rabbi Linder’s energy, sense of humor, warmth, and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in intellect will inspire our congregational family and the New York. He will be installed at Temple Israel at the Jewish and the general community-at-large.” Wendy Goldberg, President Shabbat worship service on of the Board of Trustees, Friday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. remarked, “This is a wonderful “In the past few years, I had opportunity for our congregaoften imagined the kind of tion to formally welcome and synagogue that I wanted to support Rabbi Linder as he serve as rabbi. begins his new career in “After two months here, I Omaha.” She encouraged the think that the staff and congreentire Temple Israel family to gation at Temple Israel is a attend. perfect fit for me to develop New members of Temple my rabbinate,” he continued. Israel will be honored at a din“It is an honor to be includner at 6 p.m. preceding the ed as part of the clergy team at Temple Israel,” Rabbi Linder Rabbi Linder speaks to WRJ at its recent luncheon worship service. Rabbi Azriel, said. “I am blessed to share this momentous occasion Rabbi Linder, Cantor Shermet, and Debbi Josephson, with my parents, Lois and Michael, my aunt and cousin, chair of the membership committee, will welcome the Nancy and David, and the woman I love, Sheila. This new congregants. “This is an opportunity to develop installation serves as a wonderful beginning to the many camaraderie and introduce new members to each other, moments of growth, friendship, learning, and laughter staff and clergy, membership committee members, and that I will engage in while being a member of this holy Board members,” Josephson said. The clergy will call community.” the new members to the bimah during the worship servRabbi Aryeh Azriel commented that “in the few days ice for a special blessing.
C L I P & S A V E
by RENEE RATNER-CORCORAN the United States, and in Israel. NJHS Executive Director In addition to interviews with members of the generThe story of Jewish presence in South Omaha from ation raised in South Omaha by immigrant parents, the the early 20th century to the present has been docu- journal includes more recent recollections of current and mented by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society in the former owners of packinghouses, including Lee 13th volume of its Memories of the Jewish Midwest jour- Bernstein, Mike and Joe Erman, Mark Sherman and nal series. The 54-page journal will be mailed to mem- Henry Davis. “With the generous support of our community, NJHS bers of the society and available for sale to the general has been able to document many important aspects of public. Printing costs of “Founding a Neighborhood, Fostering a Community” were underwritten by Phyllis Sherman in honor of her late husband, Irv Sherman. Mrs. Sherman’s grandMorris father, Goldenberg, began operating South Omaha Packing Company in about 1910. Her father, Among stories told in the recently published Nebraska Jewish Historical Journal about the hisLeo Waxenberg, worked tory of Jewish South Omaha is that of Fanny Halperin, left, as remembered by her daughter, alongside Goldenberg Sophie Halperin Katz Schulman. As a young widow, Fanny operated a rooming house for packand later, with Irv inghouse workers while raising her four children. Sophie, Ethel, Yale and Max (pictured atop a Sherman, built Corn- pony) were ages two through seven when their father died. Ed Frohm, right, is pictured at the husker Packing. Mike and Union Packing Company that he operated in South Omaha with his brother, Carl. Ed and Carl Mark Sherman, sons of emigrated from Lithuania in the late 20s. The NJHS Carl Frohm Archival Center continues to Phyllis and Irv, continued receive support from the Frohm estate. to operate Cornhusker until 1994. Midge Greenberg Bowers underwrote research costs in honor of her late brother, Justin Greenberg. Bowers’ grandparents, Philip and Celia Greenberg, operated the Philips department store that was a regional landmark and the center of South Omaha retail trade from 1925 until 1987. Sam and Henry Greenberg, sons of Philip and Celia, continued to operate the store after their parents retired. Recollections of the day-to-day operation of the store of Shelly Harris, nephew of Eleanor Greenberg, are included in the journal. The project also received support from the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Special DonorAdvised Fund. “A group of Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland, many of whom were part of several extended families, found new lives and prosperity in South Omaha. But they had to work very hard to realize those dreams,” said Rita Shelley, who conducted interviews with surviving children of the original immigrant generation and wrote the journal with assistance from NJHS volunteers. “This is an important Jewish story, as well as an important Omaha story that so far is the only history of South Omaha of this length that has been published anywhere,” she noted. The journal features interviews and family photos that together build a story of a community whose descendants today live in Omaha, throughout
the social and religious history of Jewish Omaha, said Bowers, NJHS President. “This is a proud tradition that through the support of Phyllis Sherman and the Foundation, we are able to continue in the telling of the story of Jewish South Omaha.”
Mideast Expert Continued from page 1 He served as a Middle East advisor to former President Jimmy Carter. Stein visited Omaha in November of 2000, leaving a lasting impression with those who heard him speak. “People who heard Dr. Stein speak on his previous visit are very excited he will be returning,” said Matalon. “The Center for Jewish Education is delighted to have so many partners in this venture.” The event is free and open to the community. The event is being presented by the Center for Jewish Education and co-sponsored by the Philip and Ethel Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith, the Anti-Defamation League/Community Relations Committee, and the Dr. Bruce S. Bloom Memorial Endowment Fund. For more information, call 334.6445 or e-mail mgrossman@jewishomaha.org. For more information on Dr. Stein, visit his website at www.ismi.emory.edu/stein.html.
September 1, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Part I: 9-11, FIVE YEARS LATER
The Lie That Just Won’t Seem to Die Continued from page 1 accused of orchestrating and carrying out the attacks to Efforts to connect the Jews with 9-11, however, are not advance the Jewish state’s geopolitical agenda. “This perlimited to fringe groups talking with one another. verse respect for the Mossad,” the ADL report says, Contributors to Wikipedia, the popular and influential “derives in part from anti-Semitic notions that only Jews online encyclopedia, have tried repeatedly to insert anti- are sufficiently cunning, resourceful, and wicked to have Jewish 9-11 theories into Wikipedia’s pages and represent carried out the attacks and blamed them on their enemies.” them as fact or at least plausible versions of reality, accord• A “spy ring” consisting of young Israelis claiming to be ing to Berlet. art students. They purportedThe insertions--which reply had been tracking the 9-11 resent one of countless pieces hijackers but did nothing to of potentially suspect inforstop them. submitted to mation • Jewish businessmen, Wikipedia almost daily--have including owners of the been promptly excised by the World Trade Center, who encyclopedia’s volunteer ediplotted to destroy the structors, says Berlet, himself tures to collect insurance Wikipedia editor, “but it money, thus perpetuating the requires constant attention.” “myth of the greedy Jew,” the It’s impossible to determine ADL report says. how many viewers have seen • “Four thousand Israelis” the postings before they were who allegedly worked at the removed from the Wikipedia World Trade Center but were Web site, which has a daily A plume of smoke rises from where the World Trade Center's warned by Israeli intelligence viewership of roughly 30 mil- twin towers stood, on Sept. 11, 2001, as seen from New operatives to stay home on 9Credit: Robert A. Cumins/JTA 11. One of the most widely lion, according to a company Jersey. spokesman. accepted 9-11 myths, some sources say it was initiated by The 9-11 assaults triggered an almost immediate out- Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television network. pouring of conspiracist conjecture, in part because of the These assertions have been either laughed off as preposbizarre, almost implausible nature of the attacks, according terous--or have been investigated and discredited. The to Michael Barkun, a professor of political science at “spy ring” story, for example, may have emanated from a Syracuse University who has studied extremist movements disclosure that a number of young Israelis who violated and their philosophies. their visas had been deported from the United States. “These events cried out for some sort of explanation,” Subsequent reports were examined by The Washington Barkun says. “This was a golden opportunity for conspira- Post, among others, and found to be “nothing more than cy theorists to introduce their theories to a broader audi- an urban myth,” according to the ADL report. ence. The thing to remember about is that they are psyBut the fact that conspiracy theories have been disproven chologically comforting. They give sense and meaning to is largely irrelevant to the theories’ adherents, according to the world. Nothing is arbitrary or accidental or coinciden- Barkun. The reason, he says, is that die-hard conspiracytal.” mongers are united by their embrace of what he calls Not all of the explanatory hypotheses stemming from 9- “rejected knowledge.” 11 implicate Jews. Some still accuse the United States gov“These people are profoundly distrustful of authority. It ernment, for example, of being aware of the attacks and seems absurd to the rest of us, but in the mirror world that doing nothing to stop them in order to justify military conspiracy theorists live, anything rejected by mainstream intervention in the Muslim world. institutions must therefore be true,” Barkun says. But anti-Semitic finger-pointing soon came to dominate A conspiracy-tinged view of world events seems to be the revisionist view of 9-11, according to a report issued in gaining traction in America and elsewhere, according to 2003 by the ADL. These accusations brought “‘The Lou Manza, chairman of the psychology department at Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ into the 21st century, Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA. As evidence of this updating a familiar theme: that Jews are inherently evil and trend, he cites polls indicating that suspect theories of all have a ‘master plan’ to rule the world,” says the report, kinds have gained popularity over the past 10-15 years. which profiles the 9-11 conspiracists’ cast of suspected Among the possible explanations: In today’s informaplotters and other scapegoats. They include: tion-bloated environment, the conviction that all-powerful • The Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, which is forces control global events makes life easier for believers
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by obviating the need to think critically about complex issues. “Our environment today is not conducive to a critical-thinking approach, especially with the instant access we have to so much information,” Manza says. “If it’s on the Internet and the graphics are good, it must be true.” But why does it necessarily follow that the Jews in particular were the unseen hand behind America’s most infamous terrorist attack? Because they had something to gain from 9-11, according to conspiracists, who contend that military retaliation against Arabs was its own reward for the Jews and Israel. Asked why the Jews were implicated in the attacks, Barkun says, “You might as well ask, ‘Why does antiSemitism exist?’ Unfortunately, the concept is deeply rooted in Western culture. And like a lot of conspiracy theories, it’s a closed system of ideas that is structured so that it’s impossible to disprove.” In a sense, the extremist explanations for 9/11 are merely an update of conspiracy theories that have been evolving ever since the Crusades, according to conservative columnist and analyst Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum, who has written two books examining conspiracy theories. Virtually every major conspiracy theory hatched over the past 900 years has featured one of two key elements, Pipes says. One is so-called “secret societies,” such as the Trilateral Commission--an influential coalition of influential private citizens--as well as suspected government cabals; the other is the Jews. Anti-Semitic 9-11 scenarios have staying power, but it's unclear how widely they're embraced. No American officeholder, for example, has tried to score political points by blaming the Jews for 9-11-- though recently defeated Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) made a name for herself by repeatedly taking anti-Israel stands and alleging that the federal government was complicit in the 9-11 attacks. All told, the Western strain of 9-11 revisionism seems dominated by conspiracy buffs rather than bona fide antiSemites who pose a real danger to Jews, according to Pipes. Berlet takes a less benign view. “Any form of conspiracy theory is toxic to the democratic process,” he says. “How can you reach compromise with those ‘evil people’ who bombed the World Trade Center? That sort of thinking could flare up in hard times and affect policy.” Overtly anti-Semitic conspiracy theories stemming from 9-11 appear to be more widely accepted and tenacious in the Arab and Muslim world than in the West. “The implications in the Middle East are quite profound,” Pipes says. “It’s one more brick in the edifice of fear and loathing of Israel and the Jews.” Parts II and III of 9-11, Five Years Later will appear in next week’s Jewish Press and on our web pages; visit www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press.’
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
New Beth El Play Group Temple Israel to Welcome Students Back to Religious School Followed by BBQ Lunch for Families Will Tickle Every by CLAUDIA SHERMAN with Jen Kirshenbaum and Wendy Vann, leaders of the Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Religious School Volunteer Corps. “We’ll give everyone Toddler’s Fancy September marks many new beginnings…a new year, the ‘411’ on everything going on at Religious School by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El Synagogue’s new learning play group, “Abba, Eema and Me!” is ready to teach and entertain the littlest members of the Jewish community beginning Wednesday, Sept. 6, 9:30-11 a.m. Organized by Beth El congregant and educator Holly Weill, this fun-filled program, scheduled for the first and third Wednesdays of each month, is geared to children from birth to three years old and their parents. Participants will enjoy a mixture of age-appropriate activities, singing, storytime, art projects and playtime, Weill said, adding that during the children’s snack and play period, parents will be treated to a variety of speakers who will address earlyHolly Weill childhood topics. The idea for this program came about after Weill decided to take a year off from teaching, to stay home with her daughter, Julia, who will be two-years-old this fall. “Friends and family kept asking me what I was going to do with her every day,” Weill recalled. “As I began investigating different activities and classes, I noticed that there wasn’t very much offered for children her age in the Jewish community. I wanted to include something Jewish into her routine, in addition to attending services and what we do at home. I also wanted an outlet for myself--a place to meet other families, network, and become more involved in the Jewish community.” Guest speakers and their topics include Julie Phillips, age-appropriate art projects, Alan Parsow, financial planning, Glen Fineman, discipline, and Rabbi Mordechai Levin, building Jewish traditions in the home. During the first class, parents will be asked to identify other topics of interest, and based on their input, additional speakers will be lined up for the rest of the year, she said. “I think the parents will greatly benefit from the advice presented from our professional speakers. The goal is to give moms and dads something tangible to walk away with and implement at home right away,” Weill commented. “In addition, it will be a good place to meet new parents of children of the same age. The children will benefit by having a regular group of Jewish friends to play with. When they come to the synagogue or the JCC for a special event, they will begin to recognize those faces and associate being in a Jewish environment as enjoyable. Overall, the goal is to learn a little and have a lot of fun!” All families in the Jewish community are invited to attend “Abba, Eema and Me,” at no charge. In addition to Sept. 6, classes will be held on Sept. 20, Oct. 4 and 18, Nov. 1 and 15, Dec. 6 and 20, Jan. 3 and 17, Feb. 7 and 21, March 7 and 21, April 18, and May 2 and 16. For more information, contact Weill at 493.5126, or Beth El Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or programming@bethelomaha.org.
5767, and a new school year at Temple Israel for Religious School students. Jill Idelman, a first year Religious School teacher, said she hopes the first day “brings the students some new Hebrew words.” As a second grade Hebrew teacher, she plans “to pick a Hebrew word-of-the week, refresh ourselves with the Hebrew alphabet, get to know each other and encourage excitement” for the upcoming school year. A member of Temple’s choir, Kol Rina, Idelman also plans on teaching her class some new Hebrew songs. Learning Hebrew is exactly what the three Budwig sisters want to do. Fifth grader Hannah, nine, said she would like “to learn a lot of Hebrew, because I like learning foreign languages.” Hannah’s younger sisters, Sophie, eight, will be in third grade, and Aleia, six, will be in first grade. Sophie would like to learn Hebrew so “I can read it easier when I go to services.” Aleia said, “I just like Hebrew!” On the first day of school, Sunday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m., kindergartners through sixth graders and their parents will meet in the sanctuary for the first prayer assembly of the new year featuring a Welcome Back to School Rally and a song session. Also, Rabbi Eric Linder will be introduced. Cantor Wendy Shermet and Program Director Rosie Zweiback will meet with fifth grade parents at 10:30 a.m. following the prayer assembly to talk about their children’s B’nai Mitzvah. Also after the prayer assembly, kindergarten orientation will be in the Milder Center with the children and their parents. At 11:15 a.m., Religious School parents will meet
throughout the year,” Vann said. “Please join us if you want to know the important dates for parties, the second grade seder, grade level Shabbat dinners and other events this year,” she added. Students are encouraged to bring toys such as play dough, yo-yos, and games that do not require knowledge of the English language, on the first day of school. The toys will be packed in suitcases and sent to children in northern Israel, in our Partnership with Israel area, who have been affected by the recent conflict. Mimi Silverman, who has led Temple’s efforts to assist refugees from Darfur, has requested that students also bring backpacks to school on the first day. “The filled backpacks are for refugees who are arriving in Omaha,” she explained. “We started by helping people from Darfur, but that has evolved into helping all refugees coming here.” She asked that each backpack contain six pencils, six ballpoint pens, one three-ring binder, three spiral notebooks, and eight folders with pockets. Silverman will then distribute the backpacks to refugees who need them. Elyce Azriel, director of education, added that “calendars, coffee, bagels, and ‘The New York Times’,” will also be available the first day. When classes are dismissed at noon, the Temple Golf Committee has a barbeque planned. The grill will be fired up to cook hamburgers and hot dogs--all for free. In addition, the Golf Committee will sell raffle tickets, five for $20, to support Temple’s Religious School, youth groups, adult education, and worship services. Prizes include a mountain bike, numerous restaurant and shopping mall gift certificates, and a Weber grill.
Yachad’s Visit to Zoo: A Learning Experience them swim, which they do most of the time anyway, by by DUANE J. PIEPER The classrooms at the Henry Doorly Zoo are designed cutting down on drag and acting as a rudder. Its subseto inform and expand one’s understanding of the envi- quent awkward walking style is for our enjoyment. ronment through interactive, hands-on activities. This The final portion of the tour found Yachad winding year, Yachad chose to learn more about life in the sea as their way through a dark tunnel for an underwater stroll represented at the Aquaon the ocean floor. The rium. The class learned 71,000 square-foot space about the importance of the features realistic displays of ocean’s ecosystem and how aquatic habitats from the the destruction or loss of polar regions, temperate even one element affects the oceans, coral reefs and the fragile balance of the entire Amazon. With sharks and system. stingrays swimming overAfter receiving some founhead and all around it diddational information about n’t feel like we were in aquatic life, it was off to the Nebraska any more. Aquarium for a guided tour On the way out of the Sea of the Kingdom of the Seas. Kingdom, the group was The first stop was at a shal- Ben Friedman, left, Jeff Steinberg, Eric Friedberg, Grace entertained by the Little low pool where the mem- Isler, Kathie Pieper, Avi Wolfson, Val (Zoo Docent), and Josh Blue Penguins, native to bers had an opportunity to Parsow scrutinize Sea Creatures at the Aquarium. Australia, who spend their touch a variety of sea creatures, including a shark. summers in an outside exhibit at the Zoo. Everyone was enthralled with the antics of the penBack in the classroom we reviewed all that was learned guins at the next exhibit. The star of the show was the and experienced in this amazing aquatic world. Yachad newest addition to the family, a tawny-colored juvenile had an opportunity to add a footnote to future lesson King penguin. Speaking about penguins, why are their plans by explaining the difference between kosher and legs so far back on their bodies? Give up? Okay, it helps non-kosher fish to the docents.
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September 1, 2006
Diverse Topics Selected with Limmud Omaha “Texts and Textures of Judaism” by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Administrator Center for Jewish Education Give 12 individuals a theme, ask for discussion topics, and a variety of responses will be received. Provide 12 learned Jewish scholars with the theme “The Texts and Textures of Judaism”; ask for topics for a 40-minute presentation and the responses are eclectic, varied, and intriguing. The ideas proposed were perfect for “Limmud Omaha, A Day of Learning.” This community education event, presented by the Center for Jewish Education, is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 10, 1:30-5 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center. The afternoon will begin with a presentation by Dr. Ellen Frankel, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Publication Society. Following Dr. Frankel’s remarks, three breakout sessions will be held, with four presentations per session, based on the day’s theme. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the community to kick-off the year of learning,” said Harry Berman, CJE board member and Adult Education Committee chair for the Center for Jewish Education. “We were thrilled with the enthusiastic response of the presenters and the wide variety of topics that will be covered.” There will be four options during each session, with attendees selecting the topic of the most interest to him or her. At 4:30 p.m., everyone will reconvene for a closing presentation by Dr. Frankel, with the day concluding at 5 p.m. The presenters during the sessions are as follows: Session 1, 2-2:40 p.m.: Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Beth El Synagogue, will read and discuss traditional and contemporary sources. The Reasons of the Mitzvot: What is their rationale? What type of reasons do the mitzvot have? Do the commandments bring benefit to God or to man? Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Klutznick Chair for Jewish Civilization, Creighton University, will look at “The Handwriting on the Wall: The Text of the Hebrew Bible in Art.” What happens when the text of the Hebrew Bible is incorporated into art from the 12th-20th centuries, including mistakes and possible misrepresentations? Dr. Moshe Gershovich, Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Nebraska-Omaha, will present “Text and Context: Reexamination of Israel’s Declaration of Independence.” He’ll analyze the text of the Declaration, explain the circumstances in which it was composed, and discuss the validity of the document to understanding the identity of the State of Israel. Susan Aizenberg, Associate Professor, English Department, Creighton University, will include the reading of poetry, followed by discussion in “Poems by 20th and 21st Century American Jewish Poets: A Reading and Conversation.” Session 2, 2:50-3:30 p.m.: Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Temple Israel, will discuss conflict resolution as tied to Jewish tradition in light of the recent Israeli/Lebanese conflict in “Judaism, Power, and Moral Restraint: Conflict Resolution in Jewish Tradition.” Dr. Ellen Frankel, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Jewish Publication Society, Jewish Folklore, will focus on selected texts and examine the language of Jewish folklore in
connection with amulets, gematria, names, and more. Dr. Sidnie White Crawford, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Chair, Department of Classics & Religious Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will lead a discussion of how the discovery of hundreds of ancient biblical manuscripts from the Qumran caves changed the view of the development and history of the Bible in “What Do the Dead Sea Scrolls Teach Us About the Bible.” She will present the evidence from the Qumran biblical scrolls and discuss their importance for biblical scholarship and interpretation. Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director, The Center for Jewish Education and Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies, Department of Philosophy and Religion, UNO, offers a look at “Messianic Themes in Poetry: Solomon Ibn Gabirol (1028-1058).” Solomon Ibn Gabirol is one of the most famous poets of the Spanish Golden Age. He is known for his philosophical writings and his Keter Malchut (Crown of Royalty) a piyyut (religious poem) read on Yom Kippur in some Jewish communities. Session Three, 3:40-4:30 p.m.: Dr. Jenni L. Schlossman, President, Beyt Shalom Reconstructionist Synagogue, uses her background in art history to present: “Chaim Gross: Jewish Artist, Jewish Art?” Gross, a 20th-century American artist whose most familiar work is sculpture of secular subjects, also created many works with Jewish themes, including a set of four lithographs in Omaha. This session will focus on Gross’ Jewish background, how his religion influenced his art, and how these Jewish lithographs became part of the art collections in Omaha. Rabbi Jonathan Gross, Beth Israel, will compare different translations of the Bible and explore the different ways that the same verses are translated and how the divergence can impact our understanding of the text in his session: “Lost in the Translation: The Challenges of Bible Study in English.” Words of another language can often have subtle nuances that cannot be conveyed by a particular English word. Particularly true of the Hebrew Bible, many words contain layers of interpretations and multiple meanings that can produce a variety of different understandings. Rabbi Mendel Katzman, Executive Director, Chabad of Nebraska, will examine engaging texts in laymen’s language as we delve into the mystical meaning of the prayers, the message of the Shofar, and the various customs related to these auspicious days. His session is “The Kabbalah of Rosh Hashanah, What’s the Deal with the Crowning? It’s not the Ak-Sar-Ben Ball.” It’s a universal imperative expected of each us this Rosh Hashanah. Prof. Gerald Shapiro, Professor of English & Judaic Studies, UNL, is an award-winning writer who will read from and discuss some of his writings, including the process of going from the written work to the big screen. His talk is entitled: “What It’s Like to Be an Author of Works about Jews and Judaism.” Limmud Omaha is open to the community, at no charge. Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon. This event is co-sponsored by the Philip and Ethel Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University. For additional information, please call 334.6445 or email mgrossman@jewishomaha. org.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Omaha’s most eagerly awaited stage production--The Lion King--will begin performances at the Orpheum Theater on Friday, Jan. 12 for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, Feb. 11. The opening night is Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m. Ticket buyers are invited to special box office opening festivities on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Ticket Omaha box office located at the Holland Center, 13th and Douglas Streets. The first 100 ticket buyers at the event will receive a Lion King CD, and all other ticket buyers at the event will receive a Lion King t-shirt (one merchandise item per order, while supplies last). The line for the event will begin at the South doors of the Holland Center directly across from Gene Leahy Mall. Those in attendance will not only be among the first to purchase tickets to The Lion King, but will also have access to some of the best seats in the house and will enjoy music, refreshments, trivia and more.
An Evening with Lily Tomlin, rescheduled from an earlier date, will be presented at the Holland Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m. Tomlin is best known for her famous characters--six-year-old Edith Ann, Ernestine the telephone operator, the aging beauty adviser Madame Lupe, prim Judith Beasley and Trudy, the schizophrenic street lady, who will all make appearances in Tomlin’s one-woman show. She’s currently starring in Robert Altman’s film, A Prairie Home Companion, and has won six Emmys, two Tony awards, and a Grammy for her large body of work, including the landmark series, Laugh-In. Tickets are priced from $35-$55 and may be purchased at the Ticket Omaha office at the Holland Center, 13th and Douglas, by phone at 402.345.0606 or online and www.ticketomaha.org.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
POPCORN FACTORY WORKERS Microwave popcorn factory workers have been diagnosed with the fatal lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans. The rare lung disease, which has been recently referred to as “popcorn worker’s lung”, consists of a serious and irreversible inflammation of the airways that lead to the lungs. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of exposure to diacetyl from microwave popcorn, please contact attorney Greg Jones for a free, confidential consultation at 1-800-388-2815. Greg Jones & Associates’ principal office is at 3015 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28403. Mr. Jones is licensed in NC, SC & GA and associates with local attorneys nationwide.
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Jewish Press contributing writer Leo Adam Biga of Omaha was recognized by the Omaha Press Club at its Third Annual Excellence in Journalism awards in June. His story “Uncle David” won a Second Place award in the Best Magazine Feature Story competition. The story was published in The Reader, an Omaha news weekly for which Biga is a senior contributing writer. In 2005 the Jewish Press published an earlier version of the same story, in which Biga details the Holocaust rescue engineered by the late Grand Island entrepreneur, David Kaufmann, a Jewish German emigre who is the focus of a forthcoming book. “It’s always nice to be recognized by one’s peers,” Biga said. “The real satisfaction, though, comes in telling stories I feel privileged to tell in the first place, and then sharing them with a wider audience.” Another version of the Kaufmann story will appear in the November/December issue of Nebraska Life Magazine. The Omaha Press Club honor is the latest recognition for Biga’s writing. He previously won Nebraska Press Association awards and an American Jewish Press Association Rockower Award for stories that appeared in the Jewish Press. These award-winning stories profiled Holocaust survivors and rescuers, part of a long-standing interest Biga has in exploring Shoah-related subjects. Biga also recently learned an article of his that originally appeared in The Reader is to be reprinted in the fall edition of The Black Scholar, one of America’s leading African American journals. The University of Nebraska Medical Center is conducting research targeted at reducing the daily HIV/AIDS multiple pill regimen to a single monthly injection using a nanotechnology drug delivery system. By using macrophages, the cells that carry HIV throughout the body, researchers have successfully delivered anti-retroviral drugs directly to tissues where the virus grows. “Using UNMC’s advanced cell biology and imaging technologies combined with cutting edge nanotechnologies, we have engineered an anti-HIV drug nanoformulation with available HIV-combating drugs and fed macrophages large amounts of it,” said Howard Gendelman, M.D., the senior scientist for this research team and chair of UNMC’s Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience. “Then, as macrophages migrate to tissues where HIV grows, drug is secreted by the macrophage. In this way the same cell that spreads virus infection could also stop viral growth and reduce the toxicities commonly seen by conventional pills.” The research appears simultaneously this month in four different highly regarded or emerging biomedical research journals, Blood, Virology, The Journal of Leukocyte Biology and The Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. Despite the significant impact of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), the worldwide HIV-1 pandemic continues to grow. An estimated 40 million people are infected around the world, the majority in developing countries. Although ART has reduced disease morbidity and increased life expectancy, global access to ART is limited by drug expenses, treatment failures and dosing complexities. Jeff Fredricks recently received his Management Information Systems’ degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He was actively involved with the Management Information Systems Student Organization and was on the Dean’s list at UNO. While attending UNO, Jeff was the Network Systems
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Specialist for All Makes Office Equipment. Currently, Jeff is employed at OPPD, where he is a programmer/analyst at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant. He is the son of Sally Fredricks and the late Terry L. Fredricks and the grandson of David and Arlene Fredricks. Jeff and his wife, Jill, live in Omaha. Bucky Greenberg competed in the World Master Swimming Championships last month at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. He was among the 5200 swimmers from 92 countries who participated, though only 15 competed in the breaststroke events in his age group. Greenberg swam all three breaststroke events, placing third in the 200 meters, second in the 100 meters, and first in the 50 meters. He trains year ’round in the JCC pool and is a part-time coach of the JCC Sharks swim team. Drs. Harris and Janice Frankel of the Nebraska Medical association and Andrea Skolkin of One World Community Health Center are among the members of the Omaha Executive Institute sponsored by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. The 25th session of the Institute is designed for senior level executives and their spouses to explore the issues, challenges and opportunities in the Omaha community. Deryl F. Hamann, Chairman and CEO of Great Western Bancorporation today announced that the company will merge its three Great Western Bank charters. The merged bank will have assets of $3.1 billion, loans of $2.4 billion, and deposits of $2.6 billion. Great Western Bancorporation will continue to be owned by the Hamann family. “This merger will eliminate a great deal of duplication in our company and create many benefits including enhanced operating efficiencies, consistent and expanded product lines, expanded delivery channels, elimination of duplicate examinations and audits, and utilization of economies of scale to reduce costs to name a few,” stated Dan Brabec, President and CEO of Great Western Bank in Omaha. “Strategically, the merger gives us a platform to achieve growth to $4 billion in assets with over 100 locations in the very near future.”
MARRIAGES FRANK/JENSEN Robyn Frank was married to Jason Jensen on May 6 in Omaha. Rev. Peggy Hall performed the ceremony. The bride, daughter of Marsha and Ron Frank, is a graduate of University of Nebraska-Omaha with a degree in Communications. She is a Human Resource Specialist at Boys Town. Her friend, Sara Lane, was maid of honor; Laura Frank, her sister-in-law, and Leslie Rogoff, her cousin, were her bridesmaids. Her grandparents are the late Cissy and Harry Liberman, and the late Max Frank and Annette Frank Schloff. The groom, son of Carol and Roy Jensen, is employed by Silver Hammer CarStar. His friend, Casey Connolly, was best man; Adam Frank and Brad Frank, his brothers-in-law, were groomsman. He is the grandson of the late Henry and Edith Hanson, and the late Alfred and Marie Jensen. Following a wedding trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the couple returned to their home in Omaha.
ORGANIZATIONS LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Come to the Yiddish meeting at the JCC on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
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VISIONS See, learn and do the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m., at the Parkwood Terrace Apartment Club House, followed by lunch at the China Buffet (in Miracle Hills Plaza). Cost is $10. Send reservation to Sissy Silber, 311 Oakridge Ct., Bellevue, NE 68005 by Sept. 6. Questions? Call Rosalie Meiches at 556.5507 or Doris Alloy at 697.8709. Visions luncheon is at Westside Community Conference Center at 3534 So. 108 St. on Friday, Sept. 15, 12:30 p.m. Join us for a musical program with
Cantor Gaston Bogomolni, accompanied by Esther Wax. Cost is $9.50. Send reservations to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St. Omaha, NE 68114 by Sept. 8. Reminder: For those members going on the day trip to Perry and Boone Iowa on Oct. 4, the full payment is now due. Call Anne Skolkin for questions at 343.1638. Make all checks payable to Visions. BREADBREAKERS David Hahn, the Democratic candidate for governor of Nebraska, will speak to Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Sept. 6, noon, at Regency Lodge. Breadbreakers is open to everyone in the community. A full lunch is $11; beverage service is $2.
September 1, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Noggs to Lead Campaign can see that they were moved by what they witnessed, and we’re so grateful to them for taking on this critical role.” Money raised for the Israel Emergency Campaign will be used to help the citizens of Israel put their lives back together. Funding will go towards trauma services, economic aid, rebuilding housing and infrastructure, and bracing Israel for future attacks. “The ceasefire isn’t rock-solid,” cautions Steve. “Israel needs to be ready and some of the dollars raised will go towards making sure shelters and saferooms are equipped with the very basic necessities. Other funds will go towards dealing with the aftermath of war.” “Omaha’s Partnership area is among those hardest hit,” Patty shares. “Our mission participants have visited these areas and have met these people. Our friends in Israel are counting on all of us to help and I know we’ll come through.” “One thing on which Patty and I wholeheartedly agree is how proud we are to be in this community,” says Steve. “There have been so many role models, people who open up their homes, their hearts, their pocketbooks--whatever it takes. Many, many families understand the importance of giving of themselves. That’s why we’re the community we are. And that’s why I have every confidence that we’ll get the job done.”
Continued from page 1 Jonathan and To kick off the 2007 Stacey Rockman, campaign Patty joined who went to Israel Sharon Kirshenbaum, during the crisis, Men’s Campaign Direchave been asked tor, for a July trip to to chair the Israel Israel, joining a group of Emergency fellow campaign leaders Campaign. Patty from across the country. couldn’t be more “I was surrounded by pleased. “Steve people was so motivating. and I are both And I got to see firstthrilled with hand our overseas dollars Stacey’s and at work,” Nogg says. Jonathan’s exciteJust a few days before ment and comtheir campaign trip mitment after perended, the crisis in Israel sonally visiting the began. “When the fightareas that suffered ing broke out, we all the most damAbove, Patty Nogg--“Miss Patty” to preschoolers and their families in knew the campaign focus age,” she says. Omaha--visits a preschool in Israel on the Campaign Directors’ and must change,” says Patty. “We admire their Chairmen’s mission in July. “Israel must be rebuilt and dedication and I knew that once again the North American Jewish leadership in this area.” people would rise to the challenge.” “To have people who have been there, in the bomb “The Annual Campaign is absolutely essential to shelters, the hospital, the camps--who are able to give us ensure that Jews in Omaha continue to benefit from the a first-person assessment is invaluable,” adds Steve. “The Federation agencies,” Steve points out. “You’ll be hear- Rockmans are so full of passion and commitment. You ing more about those needs from us at a later time, but first we must take care of the urgent needs in Israel.” The weeks of fighting have left northern Israel in ruins. Based on the initial damage assessment, the Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC) was established by United Jewish Communities, with the goal of raising a mini- by CLAUDIA SHERMAN mum of $350 million to help rebuild the war-torn Foundation Public Relations Coordinator homeland. Joe Kirshenbaum, president of the Board of Trustees Omaha’s goal for the Israel Emergency Campaign is of the Herbert Goldsten Trust, has announced that the $1.5 million. Steve and Patty express their confidence Board will meet this fall to consider requests from qualthat Omaha will rise to the challenge. ified organizations in need of funds consistent with the “Everybody has shown so much concern,” says Steve. Trust’s purpose. When Herbert Goldsten died in 1990, “This is one of the toughest crises Israel has faced. he left a bequest establishing the Trust to benefit Jewish Omaha has done their part in the past and the people I’ve religious, charitable, and educational organizations in spoken with are happy to do their small part to help.” the Omaha metropolitan area. “We are asking families to join us in giving a minimum Grant applications for 2007 should be submitted no of 50% of their combined 2006 annual campaign gift,” later than Monday, Sept. 18, to the Herbert Goldsten says Patty. She acknowledges the strain people may feel Trust, c/o Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation from the many different recent fundraising efforts. “Our (Attention: Janet Henthorn), 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, national system recognizes this, too. In order to help, Nebraska 68154. Please submit six copies of each grant people can extend their Operation Promise payout from application. Late applications will not be considered. three years to four,” Patty explains. Applications have been e-mailed. Additional forms can “Our Federation board has already fronted some be requested by calling Henthorn, Foundation much-needed cash to the Israel Emergency Campaign,” Endowment Associate, at 334.6551. adds Steve, “so the community will have up to two years Trustees intend to focus their attention on projects to complete payment on Israel Emergency Campaign that would likely have a favorable long-term impact on pledges.” the community and that would not otherwise be fund-
Goldsten Trust Grant Applications Due, Newman Trustees to Consider Grant Requests
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
Part III
Omaha Couple Gets First Hand Look at War Zone in Israel by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director Jonathan and Stacey Rockman spent two weeks in Israel during the recent hostilities. Their trip encompassed everything from going to the traditional sites of the Wall and Yad Vashem, to meeting the wife of a kidnapped solder, spending time in bomb shelters, touring a military base and a command center, flying with the fire brigade, and spending time with friends from the Partnership region. During this recent trip they visited Ben Yakir Youth Aliyah Village which had been turned into a summer camp for Ethiopian children evacuated from absorption centers in the North. The couple made candles and t-shirts with the children, danced with them and taught them how to use yoyo’s. With the help of Federation dollars, more than 30,000 children from the North were sent away to the safety of camps while the rockets and bombs were falling. Spending time with the kids affected the Rockmans deeply. “Helping the children cope is going to be an issue long after the war is over,” said Jonathan. “Eighty percent of the children are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder,” Stacey added. “It’s going to take enormous resources to help these kids.” The Rockmans also spent time at the Matte Asher Command Center. This center serves as the communication hub for police, army, fire and emergency vehicles in the North. It’s a source of great interest throughout Israel, with plans underway to duplicate the center throughout the nation. And it’s a source of great pride for the Rockmans, as our Central Area Consortium helped make this center a reality. “Omaha helped build this Center that was so urgently needed,” said Jonathan. “It was wonderful seeing the name of the Jewish Federation of Omaha on the building,” Stacey shared. When the Command Center first opened Yehuda Shavit, President of the Regional Council explained that its mission was to address the region’s security needs. “We need to be able to maintain communication with the different security arms such as the IDF, the police and the local security coordinators of the various townships,” Shavit said. The Command Center proved invaluable during the recent crisis. The building is equipped with advanced computer and communications networks which keep pace in real time with the IDF, MDA, firefighters and police. Security and volunteer efforts were all coordinated from this location. The Consortium could not have presented a more timely gift to the region. Witnessing the devastation and destruction in Israel,
Among the many different the Rockmans knew they people they met, the couple must do something to help. visited with designer Asia They agreed to chair Kruvitzky at her art gallery Omaha’s Israel Emergency in Jerusalem. Campaign. According to the Asia’s words in an e-mail couple, channeling resources to Stacey and Jonathan capfor shelters is a top priority. ture the spirit of the home“The cease-fire is tenuous land and a fitting close to and Israel needs to be ready. their journey: There aren’t nearly enough “Your visit to my gallery shelters for everyone,” said was much more than a visit Stacey, “and even the best of clients to my store, I truly shelters are without many and deeply felt your warmth basic supplies.” and sincere caring for us, “Those who can’t go to about a nation that would the shelters must spend not accept evil and terror as countless hours in safe rooms in their homes,” Stacey Rockman with the fire brigade helicopter unit to spot a way of life. And although we are surrounded by more explained Jonathan. “These where katyushas have landed. rooms are as small as prison cells, usually with a single than 300 million Arabs we still have the courage and cot for the entire family. And some homes have no safe strong faith to fight for our land, for our silence, for our values and for a better world. When you left I felt as if I rooms at all.” The Rockmans will work closely with General was saying Shalom to my close relatives…I think our Campaign Chairmen Patty and Steve Nogg on the Israel common feeling for Israel made us feel so close. I know you understand that we must create art, design and Emergency Campaign. Throughout their unforgettable trip to Israel, the beauty in Jerusalem. More than war let us live and add Rockmans were struck by the spirit of the Israeli people. beauty, humanism, wisdom and light to the world.”
Shalom to Our Family Across the Sea by ARI ZALI Security Officer and Director Matte Asher 109 Command Center As you probably know, we’ve been in an emergency situation. All of the citizens of Matte Asher are in shelters. Many of them have left the area for the center or south of Israel. A year ago we opened the 109 Command Center built with donations from the Central Area Consortium communities of our Partnership. I would like to thank each one of you that helped with this project. A year ago, we did not imagine that we would use it during a defense against missiles. Today the Command Center is the information center for the citizens and the IDF and the police are using it as well. Citizens that are wounded contact the center for help. At the Center, we collect all of the damage reports and direct them to the government. Currently, we are also coordinating with volunteers who are traveling to the different settlements to help the elderly and people with special needs. Thanks to your donation, the Security department in the Matte Asher region can serve the needs of its citi-
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September 1, 2006
israel
emergency campaign
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
HELP
GIVE
HOPE
Did You Know That Israel...
by ALAN POTASH Executive Director Great Plains Region Anti-Defamation League Speaking about Israel does not have to always be a response to a report in the news about a suicide bomber or some other tragic story. Beyond the headlines, Israel is a vibrant culturally diverse democracy that boasts a robust economy. There are many ways to talk about Israel. The important part is to just do it-talk about Israel anyway you feel comfortable. Being an advocate for Israel can be done in different ways. The most familiar ways that people engage in advocacy are to respond to editorials in the paper or call in to radio talk shows, organize a rally, host a speaker or show a film. These do have an impact and are important to do but they are not the only ways to support Israel. Israel is a dynamic country where its citizens have accomplished great things over the past 60 years. Let people know what Israel has accomplished. There are not many countries that can boast as many successes while defending its borders and protecting its people. Yet, most people only know about Israel from news reports (which are sometimes negative to Israel’s image.) So, I would like to recommend a few easy ways to be a passionate and meaningful advocate for Israel. First and foremost talk to people, be able to have conversations with people, let others know that Israel is important to you: • If you have been to Israel keep handy a small photo album of interesting photographs and be able to talk
about them. Carry a map of Israel and be able to point out the places you visited. Talk about the borders and the size of the country. If you have family in Israel point out the cities where they live. • If you haven’t been to Israel yet, talk about why Israel is important to you and that one day you hope to go and visit. • Follow the news, read one of the Israeli papers on a regular basis, listen to Kol Israel (Israel radio broadcasts in English.), go to websites of the European papers, read how other countries write about Israel. • If you like to write, write letters to newspapers and government leaders not only as a response to something but as a way to educate others. In your letters, be concise, be passionate, be brief, timely and be as factual as possible. • If you like to speak to groups, find opportunities to speak at co-workers or friends’ houses of worship, social groups, or professional groups, to name a few. Here are a few websites that will come in handy to learn more about Israel: www.mfa.gov.il, www.haaretz.com, www.jpost.com, www.ynetnews. com, www.jewishagency.org, www.idf.il, not to mention that the www.ujc.org and www.adl.org websites are always good to check out. Did you know that Bill Gates called Israel a major player in the high tech world? Did you know that Israel’s $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined? Please let me know if you have an interest in learning more on how to be an advocate for Israel; e-mail your questions to me at: apotash1@adl.org.
A Soldier’s Wife
the model and technical details of all motorcycles built by KARNIT GOLDWASSER (Editor’s note: The following profile was written by Karnit worldwide. In the last couple of years, Udi developed a Goldwasser, the wife of kidnapped soldier Udi Goldwasser. keen interest in photography. He has spent much of his During their recent trip to Israel, Stacey and Jonathan leisure time taking photos of landscapes and wildlife in Rockman had the opportunity to meet Karnit. On behalf of Israel and abroad. Recently, photography has turned less the Omaha Jewish Community and the other communities of a hobby and more of a profession, and he is involved with several projects as a in our Partnership, the photographer. Rockmans presented He sailed the seas with Karnit with a bracelet, a his father as a child, and small reminder that she is about two years ago he never alone and can decided to fulfill a dream depend on the love and supand received his skipper’s port from her friends in the license so he can sail United States.) yachts in Israel and It is impossible to around the world. describe a man who is the whole world on a piece of Udi’s greatest love is his paper. Udi is a man of wife Karnit. His love for principles and values and her began nine years ago, makes a positive contribuand their passion for each tion to wider society. He other is something that is a very good listener and can’t be described. They a caring human being have a unique relationship Karnit Goldwasser, right, wife of Israeli kidnapped soldier Ehud whose friends come from of two souls made for each Goldwasser with Ambassador Arye Mekel, left, Consul General of many very different circles other. They were married Israel in NY spoke to reporters at a press conference held at the and backgrounds. They ten months ago and are Israeli Consulate in NY. Karnit is accompanied by Ehud’s father include childhood friends planning to have a family Shlomo and her mother Daniela as the family helps promoting with whom he grew up in and raise their kids. efforts to release the kidnapped soldiers. Credit: DAVID KARP Nahariya, army and uniSince Udi’s capture, his versity friends, and friends from around the world made parents Shlomo and Malka have returned to Israel from while he was traveling in Australia, South Asia, the South Africa, where they work as emissaries. Udi also has Canary Islands and South Africa. two younger brothers who are very worried about him. He is passionate about the environment. He graduated from Environmental Engineering studies in the Technion--Israel Institute of Technology a year ago, and joined the “green patrol” (environmental activists in Israel) to better understand and help keep the world clean. He cares for animals and despite his mild allergies for animal fur, lives with two cats and took in his dog named Mishu (“someone”) from the streets. Udi is also a true motorbike enthusiast. He did a long motorcycle tour around Australia and continues to know
Stand by Israel
by NORMAN M. SHELDON President, Jewish Federation of Omaha The Jewish Federation of Omaha, together with United Jewish Communities, stands with the people of Israel as they rebuild for the future. We are steadfast in our support of Israel and her obligation to protect her citizens and her right to survive. We pray that the people of Israel have the strength, once again, to come through this period to fulfill our mission to be a light unto the nations. May we who have had the good fortune never to have suffered such attacks provide Israel with the financial support and solidarity she needs, symbolizing the unity of the Jewish people. We will stand with the government and people of Israel as they continue to defend us all. We join fellow Jews and citizens around the world in support of democratic principles and freedom.
We Can Depend on You
by JAN GOLDSTEIN Executive Director Jewish Federation of Omaha I am proud to represent one of the finest Federations and Jewish communities in North America. We are very fortunate in Omaha to have the legacy of a vibrant and generous Jewish community, a community known throughout the Jewish world for unprecedented commitment both locally and to Israel. During this recent conflict, we once again came together, and continue to show solidarity and support for our brothers and sisters in our homeland. I’ve been thrilled to witness the response of this community, from our community rally, financial and moral support and Israel advocacy to the love and concern you have all expressed. I know we can depend on you once again as Israel moves forward to rebuild even in the midst of this tenuous cease-fire. Just as in past times when Israel has been at war, we are asking every family to help. Please consider joining our community in giving a minimum of 50% of your 2006 campaign gift. I know that together we can make this happen. We in Omaha continue to stand together, as we have for generations...Am Yisrael Chai!
Am Yisrael Chai Words and music by Shirav CHORUS: We are here, we are proud, we are strong and we are free And we’ll sing it to the sky We were then, we are now, we will always be Am Yisrael Chai Surrounding me a fire’s burning In the heart of the blue and white It is the flame of ancient yearning; It is the spark that shines so bright. There is no quenching our desire To see our homeland safe and sound And with a faith that won’t expire, We know that peace will yet be found CHORUS From here we sing a song of promise; From here we pray with all our might That someday soon we will know justice; That G-d will guide us through the night. And from the hills of Yerushalayim To the shores of Tel Aviv There will be joy there will be gladness; This is our land this is our dream. CHORUS We were then, we are now, we will always be Am Yisrael Chai!
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
A Soldier’s Story
the wreckage of previously shelled homes. violently. by JOSH BRANNON If we saw a missile battery that was close Member of the Israeli Defense Force You knew you were on the wrong end (Editor’s note: Josh Brannon was the enough, we crawled into the streets and of a mortar, when you heard the distinct security guard on the extension of the fired our own rockets into the brush. The whistle, and you could do absolutely Omaha mission last nothing but sit on the floor and hope that September, and a security it would not fall in your lap. It sounded as guard on July’s Campaign if Cadillacs were being catapulted into the Chairmen and Directors village and the explosions shook the Mission. Below are the already shaky building and chunks of redthoughts Josh shared with hot shrapnel rained down in the streets. Sharon Kirshenbaum via At night, we left the houses and comemail while on a short leave mandeered different homes so that from the army, just 12 hours Hezbollah would not zero in on our after leaving Lebanon. The exact positions. We monitored their radio following day he returned to transmissions and heard them directing duty on stand-by in the their fire to where they thought we were. North.) We slept in one-hour stretches, if at all. Twelve hours ago I left After the last of the casualties was evacsouthern Lebanon. I am still uated from the adjacent village--an excrutrying to make sense of what ciatingly slow process in which another happened there, what I saw one of our tanks was hit and four more and heard. Forgive me if I precious soldiers lost--we left the village can’t find the words. and continued on our march deeper into Our mission was to peneLebanon. trate some 10 kilometers As planned, we arrived to a hillside into Lebanon and root out where we waited amongst the scorched and engage Hezbollah guerbrush and shattered terraces for supply rillas that were concentrated helicopters that were to come and drop in bunkers on a mountain off water and additional explosives that slope that faced northern we would use to destroy the bunkers. Israel. Federation Campaign Director Sharon Kirshenbaum met After receiving the supplies, we were to The mission’s nature fore- IDF gunnerJosh Brannon in July when he served as a secu- continue making progress on foot to exeboded heavy casualties on rity guard for the Campaign Chairmen and Directors cute our mission. We were exhausted, our side. Intelligence said Mission in which Kirshenbaum and Patty Nogg participated. filthy, but happy for the brief opportunity that the site was heavily fortified and despite the sustained aerial valley was bombarded relentbombardment, Katyshas continued to be lessly by artillery shells, the launched from the area into Haifa, cannons systematically Nahariya, Tzfat. sweeping the area, tearing up The decision was made that the launch- huge swaths of earth. ers could only be destroyed by ground Every so often a shell troops. Mine is a demolition unit, so the would strike something hidmission fell on us. I was honored to be den amongst the trees and a the heavy gunner that would be on the secondary explosion would point team. erupt and missiles would fly After three days of training, we crossed from the brush in all directhe border into Lebanon on foot, and tions like fireworks on the marched through the night, pushing fourth of July. deeper and deeper into Hezbollah’s backThe secondary explosions yard. were identified by us, and by At dawn, after the first long night’s pilot-less aircraft patrolling march, we rushed the small village of the skies; we zeroed in, and Quzah in a hail of gunfire, grenades and F16s swooped in, dropping missiles, and blew down doors and com- massive bombs. We watched mandeered homes where we waited out as huge silent explosions left the day. Our orders were to only move at moon sized craters, and night. moments later the sound and Early that morning we received horrible the concussion would hit us. news over the radio: in a village half a mile It was as if the atmosphere to our east, an advanced anti-tank missile would rip in the tremendous was launched into a window of a home blasts, shaking the homes where a unit we had been working with in parallel was hunkered down. The result was devastating; nine killed, 40 wounded. We had been with those Northern Israel has been largely shuttered for weeks, having dire consequences on the econguys hours before, sipping Turkish coffee omy. Israelis need help putting their lives back together--reentering jobs, rebuilding homes and around the buses before we crossed over businesses--and healing. A network of social services will need to be restored to move beyond the border. Now we heard their cries for the trauma of war. Thousands will require vocational training, emergency funds and trauma assistance over the radio. counseling. We will need a minimum of: Our initial objective was delayed as we • $25 million for Trauma Services: Counseling for citizens of Northern Israel and areas surwere ordered to take up positions on a rounding Gaza. Hospitals require funds for specialized services, hot lines, and first responders. hillside in order to secure the evacuation • $20 million for a Fund for Victims of Terror: A dedicated fund for victims and their famiof the dead and wounded under the cover lies, including scholarships and assistance for the children of victims. of darkness back into Israel. In the hours • $2 million for Relief and Support for Soldiers and their Families: Support and assistance just before dawn, we assaulted the village for “lone soldiers,” immigrants without families in Israel, and aid for families of soldiers fightagain and entered into the homes where ing in Israel’s defense. we laid on the bathroom floor and in • $35 million to assist those who are unemployed or suffering economic hardship: other rooms that did not have exterior Vocational training for the newly unemployed due to lay-offs and business closures, and a fund walls. for small-business loans. In daylight hours, we peered out the • $40 million for Rebuilding Communal Infrastructure: Re-equipping damaged community kitchen window at a valley to the east of including absorption centers, libraries, community centers, and homes for the eldservices, us and watched as volleys of katyushas erly, updating bomb shelters, and upgrading emergency vehicles. were launched from the brush into north• $15 million for Housing: Temporary housing while homes are rebuilt, assistance for ern Israel to our south. repairs, and aid to low-income families without home insurance. It was surreal seeing the Israeli towns • $65 million for Vulnerable Populations: Restoring home care, meals-on-wheels, and medacross the border from the same perspecto the elderly; helping new immigrants access government services; providing speical care tive as the enemy. It was terrible. It was cialized services to the disabled. beautiful. expand education and social welfare programs that will not be adequately • $40 million to We did our best to direct the artillery funded by the government, a result of increased defense needs and loss of tax revenue. cells and the F16s to the precise positions, •$2 million for Israel Advocacy: Effectively making the case on behalf of Israel. calling in coordinates as we peered out of
Rebuilding and Revitalizing Northern Israel
to drop our packs. And then, the unthinkable. The helicopters arrived gloriously, six of them, flying low over our heads. We had thought the area was relatively secure and the helicopters landed in a field maybe two hundred yards from where we sat behind boulders. After making their drops, the helicopters roared away again one by one towards Israel, again flying low, directly overhead. Suddenly, as if in a dream, I saw a rocket rise up out of a field maybe a hundred yards to the left of us. It took me a moment to realize what was happening. To my horror, the missile struck the fourth helicopter’s left side, maybe 40 feet directly over my head. There was a huge fireball, and I don’t know if I saw it or if I imagined it, but I pictured the pilot struggling with the controls. We thought the helicopter would crash down on us and there were a few moments of indescribable terror, but the crippled aircraft flew another 50 yards, turned over on its side and fell onto the hillside. There was a mushroom cloud of black smoke that enveloped a huge orange ball of fire as the helicopter exploded. I don’t remember if I heard the explosion. I just remember my captain next to me in the bush saying, “My God, my God.”
An injured Israeli soldier is rushed to the hospital, in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, July 19. Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA
Immediately, Hezbollah mortar shells began to rain down on our position and we dove for cover as the earth boiled around us. The remaining helicopters banked away and flew off, shooting off decoy flares. A second land-to-air missile rocket narrowly missed a Black Hawk that arrived to survey the scene of the crash. It too deployed decoy flares and swooped away. Heavy gunfire ripped through the pitchblack night, but I was uncertain if it was theirs or ours. I saw from where the missile came but couldn’t shoot for fear of hitting one of our own in the darkness. This continued for many hours, and when the barrage ceased we retreated back into the valley, leaving a small force in the area to search for and watch over the wreckage of the helicopter. Hezbollah was sure to try to take the remains of the pilot and crew for ransom. To read Brannon’s complete war journal, visit www.jewishomaha.org.
September 1, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Welcome Home As Israelis make their way back home to the North,many are finding their houses riddled with holes and craters. Businesses have been destroyed. The economy crippled, and schools decimated – just as the back-to-school season begins. Hardest hit are areas in Omaha’s Partnership Region, places many of you have visited, affecting people you’ve met. With your help,we’ll begin the healing through trauma counseling; we’ll ease the homecoming through financial assistance for needy families; we’ll provide support for students returning to school; we’ll rebuild the North through business loans and restoring infrastructure. With your help, we’ll rebuild lives and lift spirits. Please send in your donation with the coupon below, or visit www.jewishomaha.org to make your donation online.
Israel Emergency Campaign In order to meet Omaha’s goal of raising a minimum of $1.5 million, we are asking families to consider donating 50% of your combined 2006 campaign annual gift, payable over the next two years. I hearby pledge to pay the sum of: $ ___________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name Phone Number Email _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City State Zipcode Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature Date May we publish your name? Yes___ No ___ Donations can be made by check or credit card* Please send your payment to: Jewish Federation of Omaha 333 South 132nd Street • Omaha, NE 68154 *Credit card payments can be made by calling (402) 334-6436
www.jewishomaha.org
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
We Stand with Israel
Invest in Israel
by RABBI MORDECHAI LEVIN After several wars, the Oslo Accords, signed in 1993, were created on the assumption that the Arab world and the Palestinians had reconciled themselves to the existence of Israel. It seemed that the Arab-Israeli conflict was behind us. The Oslo peace process brought new hope to the Middle East. But that process died because the Palestinians used terror and suicide bombings as a political tool, in direct and complete violation of the accords. The conflict has recently escalated, with a rocket barrage from Gaza in the south and Lebanon in the north, the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and the war with Hezbollah. The viciousness of the attacks against Israel has set back our views regarding Arab--and now Iranian--intentions to those held during the early years of the state. At that time, there was no question that the Arab world would wipe Israel off the map if given a chance. Unfortunately, as former Prime Minister Ehud Barak said recently, the Mideast is not the Midwest. It’s a dangerous neighborhood. The only language that resonates with such enemies is that of power. And Israel once again has been drawn into a battle. No country in the world would be expected to allow an
Israel Needs Us by RABBI JONATHAN GROSS The strength of the Jewish people has always been the ability to feel the pain of others. For 3500 years, since the time that God heard our nations cry from the depths of Egyptian slavery and came to redeem us from our misery, we have been engaged in an eternal initiative to imitate the Almighty and always hear the cries of those in need and come to their aid. The land of Israel has been the destiny of the Jewish people since our inception as a nation. In the 2000 years that we were exiled from the land and scattered to the four corners of the earth we never, even for a moment, gave up faith that we would one day return and Israel would once again have a place that all Jewish people in the world could call their home. Today we have a State of Israel, but lamentably, there are currently cries of pain and suffering that are emanating from our homeland. As Jewish people, wherever we are in the world, we have an obligation to help our brothers and sisters in their time of need. Our awareness, our contributions, and our prayers are all valuable ways we can lend support. Through the synagogues and the Federation we can learn about Israel, donate to the Israeli Emergency Campaign, and gather to pray and show our solidarity for Israel. In addition, everyone should strive to visit Israel and inquire into the different missions being offered through the synagogues and the Federation. The Jewish people needs the State of Israel. Now Israel needs us. If we all work together in whatever way we can, we will overcome this crisis and, with God’s help, soon see a time of peace and security.
enemy to attack its civilian population on a daily basis. Israel, like any nation, has a right to defend itself against rocket attacks, cross-border kidnappings and terror attacks, and to pursue the killers wherever they may hide. There are several things we can do to demonstrate our support for Israel at this time. Here are some suggestions. • Donate to the Jewish Federation of Omaha. • Attend religious services and pray for the State of Israel, its civilians, soldiers and hostages. • Go to Israel. • Call and email your friends and relatives in Israel. • Buy products made in Israel. At this critical time, the Jews of the world stand as one in steadfast solidarity and support with the State of Israel. We stand in our condemnation of those who commit and assist in heinous attacks. We stand with Israel as it fulfills its most basic responsibility: defending the nation and protecting its citizens. We hope and pray for a durable, secure peace. And we stand with Israel in its age-old quest for peace and security.
israel
emergency campaign
HELP
GIVE
HOPE
by RABBI ARYEH AZRIEL Suddenly turmoil has engulfed us. The dead in Lebanon, the rockets in Kiryat Shmoneh bring us closer to the stark precipice so near to where the world stumbles along a path gruesomely stained with blood. The cry of the wounded and the tears of the bereaved compel us to seek justifications to validate life’s sacrifice. The logic sometimes used to rationalize war is convoluted: “To save life we must sacrifice life.” But life itself is a paradox, and who knows better than we that passivity is also an invitation to chaos and death. What distresses me, additionally at this time of the year after 39 bloody days in the Middle East, is the blame some have placed at Israel’s door for events in Lebanon. Israel is as much to blame as were Jews and bicycle riders at fault for causing World War II. If you can figure this one out you can easily comprehend the ludicrous thoughts typical of the mind prone to bigotry. When to act in defense of what we hold sacred, despite the fact that violence corrupts the very idea we would defend, is a puzzle. Along with our fellow Israelis we must respond this time with considerable courage and consummate good judgment. We must ensure the economic viability of Israel. Israel acts as our surrogate at a high cost to itself. From all corners of the world it has welcomed the dispossessed and persecuted in whatever condition. Israel is a land of heroes Let us, our Jewish community in Omaha be heroes too. Let us invest in the state of Israel!
Reason to Laugh by RABBI MENDEL KATZMAN The Talmud relates: Shortly after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the famed Rabbi Akiva was walking through the city with two colleagues. As they passed the Temple Mount, amidst the desolation, they witnessed a fox emerge from the rubble where the ‘Holy of Holies’ previously stood. Deeply pained and saddened by the devastation and ruin, and by the great contrast between the glory of the past and the waste of the present, the two sages cried bitterly. Rabbi Akiva, on the contrary was brought to laughter by this pitiful sight. “Why do you laugh?” they asked. “Why do you cry?” Rabbi Akiva asked them. “We cry for the magnificence that was. We mourn the loss of a dazzling edifice where the splendor of G-d was palpable. We grieve for the damaged relationship between G-d and His people, the loss of life and hope, and the discord and conflict amongst our people. We are distraught, that a place so sacred has foxes roaming freely!” Rabbi Akiva acquiesced. “The damage is intense. The wounds are so fresh. And the foxes frequent ever so freely a place that is most sacred upon this earth. Our Prophets prophesied about the chain of these events. They foretold of suffering and devastation. Yet they also spoke of better days, of victory and a return to former glory. Before I saw how accurately prophesies of tragedy were fulfilled, I was fearful that prophesies of blessing and
promise might not be realized. Now I am convinced that just as the former occurred, so will the latter. The two sages called out unaniAkiva, mously, “Nichamtanu, Nichamtanu. You have comforted us, Akiva, You have comforted us!” This narrative comes to mind as we anxiously watch the unfolding of events in Eretz Yisrael. Jews all over the world are gripped with pain and sadness for our brothers and sisters in Israel. The untold physical destruction, the bloodshed, the loss of security and normal life, shame, anger, and emotional havoc concern us all to the core of our being. Yet, amidst the tragedy, we must see the promise. We witness the outpouring of love, solidarity and support for Israel by our Mishpacha everywhere. We are all inspired to give, to visit, to share, to perform Mitzvahs that offer protection. And we know that this is indeed the greatest gift we can give to G-d. For G-d is like a father whose supreme pleasure it is for his children to care for one another. This is the means to invoke His grace and Redemption. May our unity and unconditional love for one another bring about the blessings of healing and true peace through the coming of our righteous Moshiach now.
In Memory of a Fallen Young Soldier: Sergeant Johann Zerbiv by Jewish Agency for Israel STAFF The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) deeply mourns the loss of French-born Sergeant Johann Zerbiv, a lone soldier who made aliyah on his own in 2003. A proud new Israeli who participated in the Jewish Agency’s Nativ Program, a Jewish Zionist identity course for immigrant soldiers, Johann fell in battle defending his country on Aug. 12. A mere seven weeks ago, he appeared before the members of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors’ Committee for the Unity of the Jewish People to share his love for Israel and his commitment to serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Johann had dreams of completing his army service and building his life in Israel. Those dreams will now never be. May his memory be blessed. Below is an interview with Johann from June. 2006: “I think that every soldier should do the Nativ course. There are many Israelis who do not know anything about their
religion or history and the Nativ program really connects soldiers to Israel and to Judaism.” Zerbiv, age 22, grew up in a suburb of Paris in a traditional Jewish family. He attended Jewish day school and felt comfortable with his Judaism. In 2003, deciding to make aliyah alone, he enrolled in a pre-academic preparatory program at Bar Ilan University. During his first few months on the program Johann felt that he wasn’t learning Hebrew quickly enough. He worked for a stint at a clothing store and then joined the army. “My motivation to join the army was to learn Hebrew,” Zerbiv said. “But I have learned so much more than Hebrew there.” Zerbiv heard about Nativ--the Jewish Zionist Identity Program for Immigrant Soldiers, from friends. Unlike many of the program participants who are not halachically Jewish, Johann’s parents are Jewish but he wanted to learn more about Judaism and Zionism.
“Joining the Nativ course was one of the most memorable things I have done since coming to Israel,” he said. “It made me feel great. I gained new insight into why I came to Israel and the importance of joining the army. I felt deeply strengthened by the program.” During the five month course, Zerbiv learned about the history of the Jewish people, Zionism, Jewish practice and Jewish philosophy. He met other immigrant soldiers from all over the world, traveled throughout Israel and felt a stronger connection to Israel and to his Jewish identity. “I finished the course, but sometimes I take out my notes to review them,” said Zerbiv. “I especially love Jewish philosophy and I want to continue learning this subject when I leave the army.” Zerbiv would have completed his army service in 10 months. He spoke Hebrew fluently, felt connected to Israeli society and looked forward to going to college. Fallen soldier Sergeant Johann Zerbiv
September 1, 2006
Jewish Greeks Go Israeli: U.S. Campuses Gear up for Fall by SUE FISHKOFF LOUISVILLE, KY (JTA)--As the Mideast conflict simmers beneath a shaky cease-fire agreement, Jewish student groups are gearing up for what they fear will be a hostile reception on campus this fall. And Jewish fraternities and sororities are a big part of the pro-Israel effort. “The climate will be very difficult for pro-Israel activists on campus,” said David Harris, executive director of the Israel on Campus Coalition, an umbrella group uniting more than 30 Jewish student organizations. Harris pointed out that over the summer, student governments, including that of the University of California at Los Angeles, passed anti-Israel resolutions, and campus newspapers from California to Michigan to Florida printed anti-Israel editorials and cartoons. “If this is what’s happening in the quiet of summer, we’re expecting a much harsher atmosphere when the semester begins,” he said. In response, major Jewish groups have organized training conferences, put together educational resources and set aside funding to enable their student leaders and on-campus professionals to engage in pro-Israel education and activism as soon as they return to school. The Jewish Greek community is joining these efforts. Alpha Epsilon Pi and Alpha Epsilon Phi, the largest Jewish fraternity and sorority, respectively, brought 90 students to Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 13-15, to learn how to advocate effectively for Israel on campus. “Our adversaries have been developing anti-Israel campaigns on campus for years,” said Gary Anderson,
Louisville. “Take that power,” he urged the students, “and harness it for Israel advocacy.” The conference is “the kickoff of a year long initiative,” said Jen Kraus, a Schusterman Foundation fellow. National Greek leaders will follow up with their chapters throughout the year, offering resources and a little nudging. As an added incentive, participants didn’t receive their travel reimbursements for the conference until they met with staffers at the end of the two-day training and wrote detailed action plans for events they plan to hold at their campuses. Suzanne Solomon of the Arizona State University in Phoenix hopes to erect a “huge poster” listing Israel’s democratic freedoms. Alex Callen at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, said his chapter will read out the names of Israeli terror victims from a public plaza, and will ask other fraternities, sororities and non-Greek student organizations to sponsor names, with the money going to AEPi’s three Israel charities. Arya Marvazi at the University of California at San Diego is planning events on human rights, technological innovation and the environment, and will invite the presidents of campus organizations active in those fields to meet privately with the speakers beforehand, so nonJewish students can see that Israelis share their concerns. Students were urged to think beyond the usual political events to focus on Israeli culture, science, medicine, even sports and food--anything to draw in students with no particular interest in Israel. “We’re asking them to think about Israel in a new
At the Israel Amplified conference, members of Jewish fraternities and sororities plan Israel-themed events to counter
what they expect to be an increase in anti-Israel activism on campus, Aug. 15, in Louisville, KY. Credit: Sue Fishkoff/JTA
AEPi’s international president. “We can’t let them win.” Jewish Greeks actually got involved in campus Israel advocacy five years ago, when AEPi became a founding partner of the Israel on Campus Coalition and ran the first of three “Israel Unplugged” conferences for its brothers. But this year marks a major revving-up and a new focus on structured activism. It’s the first time that the conference, now called “Israel Amplified,” was open to sororities as well as other Greeks, Jewish and non-Jewish. That was stipulated by the conference’s funder, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. While the first three conferences focused on Israel education, the latest was action-oriented. All chapters of AEPi and AEPhi are pledging to hold three Israelthemed events, reaching outside their own houses to bring the entire Greek system into their efforts. “For the first time, we’re seeing the potential of Jewish Greek society,” said Jonathan Kessler, leadership development director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobbying group that has been working with AEPi for almost two decades. The new advocacy campaigns are also targeting Jewish students not involved in the Greek system. “We have to be ready for the sleeper kids, the several hundred thousand Jewish kids on campus who are not involved,” said AEPi’s Executive Director, Andy Borans. “They will come out of the woodwork because of what’s happened” in Israel this summer, he predicted. Jewish fraternities and sororities are already set up to do this kind of work, their leaders point out. They’re tied into a large network of Greeks, many of whom are socially oriented, focused on philanthropy and involved in campus politics. “Greeks are able to mobilize for a cause better than any other group on campus,” AEPi staffer Colin Sutker told some two dozen students during a workshop in
way,” said AEPi’s Jewish programming director, Phillip Brodsky. “You don’t have to knock on someone’s door with the Israeli flag under your arm.” Students at the University of Southern California spoke of organizing an Israeli techno party to highlight the country’s vibrant cultural scene. The University of California at Santa Cruz chapter wants to bring in a speaker from the Jewish National Fund, capitalizing on Santa Cruz’s interest in environmentalism. Students at another school spoke of hiring popular Chasidic reggae singer Matisyahu, and another chapter is planning a dinner party with other historically ethnic fraternities to highlight each one’s national cuisine. “Somewhere in this room is Mr. and Mrs. Louisville, and they don’t know anything about Israel,” said conference speaker Larry Weinberg, president of Israel21c, a news agency that promotes positive coverage of Israeli innovations. Then “Mrs. Louisville’s doctor gives her a capsule” that contains a miniature camera, and is able to detect her cancer early enough for successful treatment. “As soon as you tell her that capsule came from Israel, Israel will become the most relevant thing in their lives,” Weinberg said. “That’s what you need to do.” Some students already have begun putting their plans into action. Last month, Tufts University AEPi member Ari Allen launched a Web site “to fight the world’s collective amnesia” about Israel. He has posted information about the Mideast conflict “to give people tools to rebut arguments,” and will raise money for Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, by selling Israeli army-themed dog tags. Allen said he’s a little nervous about the attitude he’ll face on campus this fall, even at Tufts, which “is a quarter Jewish,” he estimated. “It’s going to be much more than a physical war, it’s going to be a war of ideas,” he said. “I didn’t really understand that until this crisis broke out.”
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
underwritten by A GENEROUS DONATION FROM THE MORTON A. RICHARDS YOUTH FUND
Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features teens who travelled to Israel with USY Pilgrimage, Ramah in Israel and on ARTZA--the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s summer Israel Experience.
Connected to My Ancestors
Scared, but Not Unsafe
by CARLY FELDMAN The most common question during the first week of school is, “How was your summer? What did you do?” Most responses range from, vacation with family, to working, shopping, work, etc. Mine will be quite different, because I went to Eastern Europe and Israel--not the Europe that most people think of like Paris, London, Venice. I went to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Instead of shopping at designer stores in exquisite places, I visited struggling Jewish communities, ghettos, and worst of all, concentration camps. A trip to Eastern Europe is very informative, and hard to go through--so real. The camps were no longer just pictures in a textbook. I, a 16-year-old from Lincoln, was standing in a gas chamber where thousands of people were murdered. It was so eerie.
by RACHEL RENO For years and years, I’ve heard and read and seen educational movies about Israel at religious school. I’d seen all the sights a million times before ‘d actually experienced them. I thought going to Israel would be old news, like going somewhere familiar. When the plane landed, I was shocked. I saw the things I had seen and read about, but to hear the Hebrew language being spoken, to see it written on signs, to feel the stifling air of Israel and to smell falafel cooking in the streets is a whole new story. I realized that to really know Israel, you have to experience it firsthand. Nothing that anyone shows you or tells you will prepare you for the real thing. After the initial shock of arriving in a country where my religion was the majority, I settled down to enjoy Israel. Midway through our third week, our plans were interrupted. We were moved from hotel to hotel, but we
always had fun. When I came back to the States, I was asked if I was scared while in Israel. The answer to that question is yes. I was scared of what might happen to my homeland, for the many people that could be hurt. But while I was scared, I never felt unsafe. I was afraid for the lives of others because I knew that people in charge at JCC Maccabi Israel would never put our Artza group in a position where something could happen to us. Life goes on. Attacks, threats, rockets: this is part of life in Israel. The people in Israel know they have to continue living; they can’t stay at home afraid of what could happen. The almost-month I spent in Israel taught me to keep living and to stop being afraid of “maybe.” I thank my parents for sending me to the country that taught me a lesson--even when I thought I was done with school. Rachel, daughter of Julianna and Rusty Reno, is a junior at Central High School.
Artza Teen’s “21-Line Poem”
Carly plants her own tree in a JNF forest. Luckily I was with an amazing group of 44 USYers and six staff who were always there for everybody. Throughout Europe we became on strong mishpacha or family. Rough times pull people together. We became Kvutzah Arbah, Group Four. After experiencing a period of darkness, we went into “the light.” We landed in Israel. I will forever remember that day as the most amazing day in my life. I cannot even begin to explain the relief of landing in Israel. It was 3:45 in the morning; everybody was exhausted, but we all cheered. When we left the airport we kissed the ground. That began our journey though Israel. We were all over, well, not quite. We were up north for about a day, until we actually heard missiles being fired at Tiberius; that ended our time up north. Luckily USY is an amazing program and we were able to do lots of things back down south. Jerusalem became our second home. I think we covered every inch of Jerusalem! I loved the Old City; it was beautiful. One of the best moments was going to pray at the Kotel. I felt so connected to my ancestors, and became aware of my Judaism. From the first day in Jerusalem, I knew that someday, somehow I would live there. Eilat was another group favorite. We relaxed on its amazing beaches, shopped, and even went on a Disco Boat. We went on quite a few hikes, many with rewarding views of the country. When it was time to go back to the U.S., nobody said we were going home. We were going to our houses-because we were already at our home. I’m so lucky I was able to go on this trip this summer, I could not stress the point enough that everybody needs to visit Israel sometime. It is a land made just for us, and we need to take advantage of that. I cannot wait to go back to Israel! Carly, daughter of Lori and Howard Feldman, is a senior at Lincoln East High School.
Chaperone Diane Malashock leads Artza on a bike ride.
1. Amanda Bucher In Hebrew, “Artza” means to the land. 2. Jessie Dannon To us though it means the greatest Israel Experience ever. 3. Scott Egermayer We didn’t know when we signed up that we’d come here never wanting to go back. 4. Devon Gilinsky The people we met along the way will always be in our lives. 5. Emily Giller The friends we made will last forever 6. Daniel Grossman Our sense of heritage has grown by visiting the land of our ancestors. 7. Max Halsted The knowledge we’ve gained will help us guide others to Israel. 8. Zach Helm We may have had a few bumps in the road, but we fixed our water pipe and kept on trucking. 9. Max Katz Though some of us came as strangers, we leave as one big family. 10. Ben Ozeroff Even though it is over, we know we’ll have stories to share. 11. Charles Parsow No matter what happens in Israel, we’ll always have a strong love for our land. 12. Danny Raznick
We’ve seen our history through the suffering of others. 13. Rachel Reno Literally, from top to bottom, from fields of beets, sand dunes of Eilat, and caves of Beit Shemesh, we have seen it all. 14. Max Sherman Even though we are miles apart from our Jewish community, we share a common culture. 15. Alex Solomon It took coming to realize we couldn’t survive without it. 16. Sarah Spooner When we get home we’ll continue to see each other as a group and keep in contact with one another. 17. David Sukiennik Plans may have changed and we may have been surprised at times, but it all worked out for the better. 18. Talia Tene We went from crappy hotel to falafel from the streets, all part of the Israel Experience. 19. Brandon Thomas We had the best staff anyone could ask for. 20. David Trubnikov We’ve learned that even though the situation in Israel can change at the drop of a hat, we know now that life goes on. 21. Guy Weinstein With everything we’ve said, we leave here looking forward to our next trip back. GIVE ME ONE…
Nothing Short of Magical by DAVID TRUBNIKOV burned as I entered the salty body of water. When the Here I am: a place where I belonged even before I saw warm water reached my waist, I gave in to the great it with my own two eyes. Israel is everything. It has forces of the sea and rose to the surface. The mud left cities, towns, seas of all sizes and nature that is nothing my skin soft and I had been rejuvenated. The relaxed short of magical. I am here for a month and already feeling stayed with me for days. What better way to start know it is not enough time off the day in Eilat than with to experience even half of an intense jeep ride in the what Israel has to offer. mountains. We had a chance Two weeks through and I to experience the nightlife have seen every part of and explore the beaches, as Jerusalem which has been well as its incredibly beautivery moving. The history ful women! Along with two that flows in the Old City other groups of teens, we almost reaches out and partied on a night cruise. touches you. Though Then the last thing I did crowded, the visit to the before spending time with Kotel was very personal. my grandparents in Holon I cannot forget my best was in the Kasui sand dunes. sleep ever--out in the middle of the desert with no tent; It was as if I was the only the stars shone like never Four Artza teens put notes in the Western Wall. one in the desert--miles and before. After enjoying tea with the Bedouins and a camel miles of the finest sand one can imagine. I spent some ride in the desert, I banged the drums with my fellow time to myself just relaxing on the pillow-like grains. We Jews into the cool night. We awoke the next morning jumped and slid down enormous dunes and felt the light very early to watch an incredible sunrise on the top of breeze on our faces. I hope the next two weeks will have the same power Massada. Moving on to the Dead Sea, we painted our bodies over me. David, son of Maya Wertheirmer and Alexander with a special therapeutic mud not leaving an inch uncovered. My cuts and scrapes from the past week Trubnikov, is a senior at Burke High School.
September 1, 2006
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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underwritten by A GENEROUS DONATION FROM THE MORTON A. RICHARDS YOUTH FUND
Editor’s note: This month’s Teen Age features teens who travelled to Israel with USY Pilgrimage, Ramah in Israel and on ARTZA--the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s summer Israel Experience.
In Israel, ARTZA Teens Become Brothers and Sisters Seeing Israel by DANIEL GROSSMAN able to watch the sunrise while the Beatles played “Here The following excerpts are from the D’var Torah given by Comes the Sun” in the background, is a memory I will Daniel Grossman, Artza ’06 participant, at Shabbat serv- never forget. That night we arrived in Eilat to where it had dropped off to an amazingly cool 102º. But that’s ices at Beth Israel. In 2002, when Parsha Re’eh was read, Jews around nothing compared to the 127º earlier! Over the next week, we made our way up to Tel Aviv the world were remembering when tens of young people were killed, injured, and traumatized while eating for tours, flea markets, museums, shopping, cafes, and lunch in the cafeteria of Hebrew University. They were last, but definitely not least: the beaches. The beaches don’t need to be explained. They can only be experiattacked by Hamas because they were Jews. And here we are in 2006, looking at a ceasefire in place enced. It was also nice to meet some of the other groups after 34 days of fighting. Started when Hezbollah kid- that were visiting Israel. Seeing new faces--American napped two Israeli soldiers, Israel entered into this con- faces--was always fun. While in Haifa, we did some volunteering and experiflict to defend itself against yet another terrorist group enced Druze hospitality. That night, one by one, our targeting its citizens just because they are Jews. I was a part of the Artza ’06 group in which 21 chaperons suddenly disappeared from the room. All of Omaha teens and three chaperons traveled to Israel. We us were very excited, thinking it was some sort of surgot on the tour bus and that is where I had my first prise. And what a surprise it was. Diane Malashock--now my Israeli experience. second mom--announced, “I’m Anyone who has ever been to not going to lie to you. Haifa was Israel obviously knows how great bombed so we will be staying their dairy products are. Well, let here for a couple more hours.” me tell you something about milk Assaf, our Israeli security guard, in a bag--also known as choko. and Uri Levin, Omaha JCC shliWhile we were driving, Charles ach, had been sent back to pack Parsow and I probably finished our stuff and get us out of Haifa. off at least 10 of these in a 15Needless to say, this complicated minute period. It was by far the our itinerary. best milk I have ever had in my So what do we do? We go to life. the beach, of course! While I don’t know about the honey everyone in Omaha was so worpart, but Israel definitely started ried about our safety, we were as the land of milk for me! happily getting stung by jelly fish. After saying shechinaynu-During our last week, we were thanking G-d for arriving at this supposed to be in the north. place at this time, we had lunch Instead, the last few days were and that is where I had my sec- Daniel Grossman rapells down Mitzpe Ramon. ond Israeli experience. By the end of that first meal, I spent going to Jerusalem and staying in a youth hostel. All the counselors took us outside and had a massive was totally addicted to shwarma. We were walking into the main area of the Kotel--the water balloon fight. Once we were all soaked, Diane had Western Wall--when I sheard a man, “Hey, kid, have you to again deliver bad news. We were going home the next taken your Jewish blood pressure today?” And two min- day. She said we were going to the Western Wall and hopeutes later, I had on tefillin, a siddur in my hand and a fully Ben Yehuda Street, but no guarantee due to terturquoise kipa. I headed over to the Wall and I can’t explain what hap- rorism. That night, 21 kids became 21 brothers and sispened next. It was probably the most spiritual thing that ters. When you get news like that, friends are amazing. I did in Israel. To be on a plane for 19+ hours and be I can’t describe to you what it felt like to be sent home shuffled around Jerusalem for several hours, it was great from a trip that has changed my life because of a group to be able to reflect and pray in the most holy place in of people who hate Jews. That, in my opinion, is the worst kind of anti-Semitism. the world. After we left, I felt like a better person. The second time at the Western Wall was nowhere as And what a small world. The next day, I went to the same shwarma place. I was wearing a Nebraska state spiritual as the first--but was much more powerful. Later lacrosse shirt, which was ironic because I thought Israel that day, we were put on a plane and 22 hours later our was the last place in the world that people would know trip was over. To this day, I would get on a plane in a about Nebraska. heartbeat to go back to Israel. And that is what I suggest Suddenly, a man passing by said, “Are you from for all of you to do, too. Nebraska?” So I tell him I’m on the Artza trip from In Parsha Re’eh, Moshe said to the people that G-d Omaha, blah, blah, blah. He asks, “Really? What’s your placed a blessing on one side and a curse on the other. name?” I reply not expecting anything. His eyes lit up So was it really a blessing--or a curse--that bad things and he asked if I knew an Alex Grossman. “Of course-- have happened to Israel, but which sparked an entire he’s my dad.” He smiled and said, “I grew up with your movement to go there? Daniel, son of Alex and Mary Sue Grossman, is a dad. Our mothers used to be best friends and we played together all the time.” He frantically told me to remem- sophomore at Westside High School. ber “Charles Ickowitz” and then I was whisked away. All I could think of was “Only in Israel.” For the next week we stayed in Jerusalem. We went to Yad Vashem, dug at an archaeological site, heard some amazing speakers, ventured out on Ben Yehuda Street and had so much fun. And of course, we ate more shwarma. After Jerusalem, we drove south to the Ramon Crater, or known in Israel as Mitzpe Ramon. There, we rapelled down its side, took a hike to a spring, and in the evening, made our own dinner (no shwarma). That night, we slept in the middle of the largest natural crater in the world. With as many stars as we could see, it was actually tough trying to sleep. The next day we hiked a mountain, went to an IDF army base, and finally arrived to some Bedouin hospitality. Over the next two days, we made our way further south to Masada. Being woken up at four o’clock in the morning is not the most pleasant experience in the The Artza group takes the plunge. world. But the results were definitely worth it. Being More Artza photos are available at www.jccomaha.org
in a New Light by SETH RICH I’ve decided I have a new favorite activity: telling people I was in Israel for six weeks this summer--waiting a few seconds, and then hearing the inevitable comment: “Wasn’t there a war or something going on there?” I saw Israel in an entirely new light because I was in Israel during a war. I was on Ramah Seminar, a six-week immersion into Israeli life and culture. Ramah is a very different program from others because we didn’t just visit Israel and go from site to site; we lived in Israel. Seminar is the culmination of all the Ramah Camps across the nation. We went from north to south, east to west, and everywhere in between. There were definitely some things that stood out. The first was the activities that showed us the country. We went hiking through the trails of the north, stopping to
Seth Rich, in front, learns riflery during the Gadna program. learn about what had been done to make sure the land we were hiking through remained Israel’s and was safe. Heading south, we kayaked down the Jordan River. Along with many of my friends, I stopped and talked with Israelis along the way; one even gave us watermelon. We explored the desert by riding on bikes and camels. The next part was meeting the people. Two of the experiences stood out. The first was a forum between us and Arab Israeli teens, where we discussed the conflicts, issues, and just life. It showed us how similar we are and the fact that both sides just want peace. The second experience was the week in the army training program Gadna, during which we learned a little bit about what its like to be a soldier--an integral part of Israeli life. I saw Israel in a different light, not only because I was on Ramah Seminar, but because I was there during war. We also had to adjust according to security needs. Ramah staff took into consideration coming home early and realized that we were all probably safer in Israel than in traffic in the U.S., and they decided to let us stay. We were reminded about what was going on up north by a lot of things, two which were the most constant. Five of our staff members were called up to the reserves, and two were preparing for that eventuality. The second reminder was talking to our parents, which felt the strangest because our people back home were telling us the stories they were hearing that made it sound like we were in a war zone. But when we went from place to place, we saw Israelis just living their lives. This experience just reminded me how much Israel has had and has to fight for its existence. I hope when I visit Israel again, I’ll be able to see how much Israelis love Israel without them having to fight for it. Seth Rich, son of Joel and Mary Rich, is a senior at
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If You Think UNIFIL Will Protect Israel... ...then perhaps you’re interetd in buying a bridge in Brooklyn. No doubt, many of our readers already have heard news that United Nations Resolution 1701 will not require that the UN force stationed in Lebanon to be deployed all the way south to the border with Israel. In fact, the Lebanese interior minister announced that only its army would patrol the border (because the Lebanese army did such a great job of containing Hezbollah in the first place!). It also was recently learned that the UNIFIL troops (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon--note the use of the word “Interim” as UNIFIL has been acting as “observers” in Lebanon since 1978) had posted “real time” troop movements of the IDF (the Israel Defense Force) on its website. Surely that was helpful to Hezbollah which makes UNIFIL’s stated description as “neutral” ridiculous. And of course, UNIFIL didn’t bother giving the IDF any information about Hezbollah, even though its “observers” have been patrolling southern Lebanon for the last six years, since the IDF pulled its troops out in 2000. Oh right, they didn’t see Hezbollah importing rockets and missiles from Syria since the terrorists probably were dressed as women--covered head-to-toe in burkas. This is not new. Recall after Israel withdrew in 2000; three of its border guards were kidnapped by Hezbollah. The United States and Israeli governments knew that UNIFIL had either taped the kidnapping themselves or had possession of the tape--in fact, the video was
broadcast on Syrian and Lebanese television. Did the UN turn the tape over to the IDF? Did it allow the families of the kidnapped soldiers to see the tape? The answer, of course, was “no” to each. The UN leadership decided it was not its responsibility to inform the IDF or share the tape. What happened to those soldiers, you ask? Israel actually did attempt a prisoner exchange and released more than 400 Arabs from its jails. The soldiers, as you’ve rightly guessed, were returned in body bags. The UNIFIL troops brought in after the latest conflagration with Hezbollah will not do anything to stop the next series of attacks. Composed of soldiers from countries not exactly friendly toward Israel--Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh, as well as those from France and Italy, these “peacekeepers” will, no doubt, do little more than their predecessors. Oh, we’re sure they’ll “observe” Hezbollah bringing in more munitions, but will they report that to the IDF? Will they prevent future kidnapping of Israeli soldiers (or merely
videotape it)? Will they stop Hezbollah from firing rockets into civilian populations in Israel--or run at the first sign of attack? In the meantime, the UN’s chief apologist crawls to Syria and Iran--Hezbollah’s patrons-in order to discuss “a peaceful solution” to the area’s problems. Syria, you see, is upset that Israel will not lift its blockade of the Lebanese/Syrian border and the ports. And of course, Secretary General Annan has to soothe Bashar Assad’s hurt feelings, because no one has been paying attention to him and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is getting all the press. Sad to say, we expect that the IDF will have to do this all over again. And next time, they’d better be prepared to win.
Individuals in North Take a Blow, but Overall Economy in Israel in Good Shape
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by BRENDA GAZZAR JERUSALEM (JTA)--David Ben-Kiki of Nahariya lost a month of work due to noshows and cancellations during Israel’s war with Hezbollah. A chiropractor in the North who treats both people and animals, Ben-Kiki estimated that he lost about $500 a day during the 34-day conflict. The 51-year-old Connecticut native, breadwinner for a family of eight, was forced to cancel a family vacation to Eilat, so the money could be used to keep them afloat during the crisis. Four days into the cease-fire, business was slowly starting to return late last week. Before the war, Ben-Kiki was seeing 15-20 patients a day, six days a week, but now he sees just five or six patients, three days a week, he said. “I’m still at a tremendous loss over here,” said Ben-Kiki, who is applying for government compensation. “I feel whatever I’m making three days a week, it’s to pay some bills, put food on the table and keep surviving.” The conflict took a significant economic toll on individuals, small businesses and some industries in northern Israel, but its overall impact on the national economy was fairly moderate, and should not cause a national emergency, experts say. “When the terror attacks started in 2001 and 2002, the Israeli economy almost deteriorated into a financial crisis,” said Rafi Melnick, dean of the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at Herzliya’s Interdisciplinary Center. “The situation is now completely different because” Israel’s economic position was very strong before the conflict. While real figures aren’t yet known, government officials estimate the total direct costs of the war at roughly $3.5 billion dollars, or 2.5-3 percent percent of the country’s GDP. That sum is expected to be split fairly evenly between military and civilian costs, said Joseph Bachar, director
general of Israel’s Finance Ministry. Economists predict 3.5 percent or 4 percent growth this year, rather than the 5 percent or so forecast before the war. Still, that’s not so bad. “Three and a half percent is more than most economies in the West,” said Michael BenGad, an economics lecturer at the University of Haifa. “It will still be growing faster than Europe.” Government officials have approved setting aside nearly $400 million for defense and another $150 million for civilian purposes. The decision, which was slated to be voted on by the Knesset this week, sends a clear signal to the markets that Israel is back in business
Growth of “Three and a half percent is more than most economies in the West,” said Michael Ben-Gad, an economics lecturer at the University of Haifa. “It will still be growing faster than Europe.” and able to absorb shocks like it had during the war, Bachar said. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres, Israel’s deputy prime minister, are encouraging Jewish communities around the world to contribute to rebuilding projects in the North. The government also is considering applying for an assistance package from the United States, Bachar said. Some of the war costs already have been covered, and officials are taking into account the additional defense and civilian costs as they prepare the 2007 budget. The northern region experienced an estimated 40 percent drop in economic activity during the war. However, the region constitutes only about 15 percent of all economic activity in Israel, said Adi Brender, head of public sector analysis at the Bank of Israel’s research department.
The service industry, including tourism, was especially hard hit and may continue to see some losses. Israel had 25 percent fewer international tourists in July than it did last year. That came after 1.7 million international tourists visited Israel from January through July, a 30 percent increase over the same period last year, a Tourism Ministry spokeswoman said. While there was no internal tourism in the North during the conflict, Israelis continued to travel to other areas of the country, such as Eilat, the Dead Sea and Netanya. As of late last week, occupancy had come back in th North to about 30 percent, and hoteliers were hopeful that it soon would return to its 90 percent average for the season, the spokeswoman said. Some losses in the North were offset by increased activity in other parts of the country. As northern residents fled their homes to avoid rocket barrages, some stayed in hotels in other parts of the country, Brender said. Even the tourism losses probably will be offset by reconstruction of homes and infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the war, he said. Not everyone in northern Israel closed their businesses during the conflict. Large companies were able to move some of their production southward, and many should be able to make up their losses over time by creating additional shifts, Ben-Gad said. If fighting doesn’t resume, there should be a full economic recovery by the end of the year, Brender said. “By 2007, we will go back to where we were before the war,” he said. But for individuals like Ben-Kiki who suffered considerable losses, such projections are cold comfort. “I don’t know how many of my patients will return to the North,” he said. “Some might cut their losses and move to the central part of the country.” If the conflict flares up again, he may have to reconsider how he earns his living. Ben-Kiki, who also treats racehorses outside Israel, may have to spend more time with clients abroad. It’s “something you don’t want to do when your family is in the fire,” he said.
(Founded in 1920) Howard K. Marcus Chairman Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Terri Greenwood Advertising Executive Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper Anne Muskin Editorial Intern Jewish Press Committee Bobbi Leibowitz, Vice-Chairman; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Scott Meyerson, Treasurer; Michael Siegel, Finance Chairman; Joanie Jacobson, Immediate Past-chairman; David Herzog; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; George Quittner; Melissa Schop; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Centers of Excellence of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service, and Jewish Senior Services. The Jewish Press is a constitutional committee of the Jewish Federation. Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Jewish the Committee, Federation of Omaha or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is a Constitutional Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. 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. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. 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 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. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. 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 more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $31 per calendar year U.S.; $36 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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Page 17
Something Less Than Victory
The Notion of an Israeli “Defeat” Tests Diaspora Support in More Ways Than One
BEHIND THE HJONATHAN EADLINES S. TOBIN by
For generations of Diaspora Jews raised on the idea of an invincible Israel, the last month has been something of a blow. While historians will probably have better luck sorting out the results of the recent weeks of fighting between Israel and its Hezbollah antagonists than journalists, there is little question that the result was a lot less than most of Israel’s fans in this country were expecting. From the White House on down, most Americans expected that when the Israeli government announced its intent to kick the terrorists out of southern Lebanon and to remove forever the threat of missile fire that hung over northern Israel, that is exactly what would happen. But when the guns finally stopped firing, while far from unscathed, Hezbollah was still standing. In short, while Israel may not have “lost” this war, it has obviously not “won” it. What does this mean both for the Jewish state and its supporters abroad? First, it should be said right away that American Jews have no business joining in the scrum seeking to assign blame for the failures of the last month. Some of us may be wondering about the confusing strategy pursued by Olmert and his government, but if there were ever a moment for non-Israeli Jews to hold their tongues, this is it. The proper court of public opinion to judge Israel’s leaders consists of those whose children fought and died in Lebanon, and those who were forced into bomb shelters or who otherwise had to
flee their homes in the face of Hezbollah attacks. Diaspora know-it-alls who’ve never heard a shot fired in anger have no standing to be piping up. The rising tide of angry Israeli army reservists and displaced nor ther ners will do enough second-guessing for all of us. That aside, will the idea of a “defeated” Israel diminish support here? The reaction from the core supporters of the Jewish state--both Jewish and conservative Christian--is an emphatic “no.” The sense of crisis and the notion of a besieged Israel--as opposed to the image of a powerful, prosperous Israel that doesn’t need our assistance--is one that sends many of us to the barricades, literally and figuratively, to prove our support. That should also mean that Jewish Federations that have struggled to maintain their standing as the central address for pro-Israel philanthropy in recent years will, no doubt, gain ground, as the public rightly views the United Jewish Communities’ Israel Emergency Campaign as a priority appeal. But what about the large numbers of marginally affiliated Jews, as well as a younger generation, for whom the media-inspired image of Israel as the Goliath oppressing the Arab David is the norm? This was a point hammered home ceaselessly as Hezbollah’s responsibility for starting the war, and Israeli suffering
was often slighted in favor of voluminous coverage of the suffering of the Lebanese paid for allowing a terrorist group bent on its neighbor’s destruction to dig in around them. And when the result of such action is, if not defeat, but at least a bloody nose, will that produce more sympathy? It’s true that there’s nothing contemp o r a r y Americans seem to love more than a victim. And one might reason that if Israel is seen in that light because of the plight of the kidnapped soldiers or the large number of Israelis forced to live in bomb shelters like Londoners during the Nazi blitz of World War II, the result will be more understanding, not less. That is, one supposes, a possible silver lining to the cloud hanging over Olmert. But there is also another, more negative possibility. Americans like victims, but they don’t tend to have much affection for losers. Even more to the point, as much as it is a truism that Israeli triumphs have boasted the self-esteem of Diaspora Jews, be they Zionist or non-Zionist (think of the impact of the Six-Day War on the birth of the Soviet Jewry movement, both in Russia and the United States), so, too, have public-relations debacles for Israel diminished Jewish support. While some of us react to the notion of Israel as the bad guy--be it as winner or loser--with anger and resentment, others respond by internalizing the criticism and wrongly turning our anger on the Israelis rather than their critics. If there has been any group in the United States among
whom support for Israel has diminished during the course of more than two decades of media Israel-bashing, it is the Jews--not our non-Jewish neighbors. Seen in this light, defeat is not likely to increase the quotient of Diaspora identification with Israel. Another troubling question is whether or not the lack of a clear victory over Islamist foes will harm the alliance with the United States as a whole. After all, America took little interest in Israel as an ally, as opposed to a charity case, until after Israel won the Six-Day War in 1967. If ever Israeli leaders allowed their American counterparts to think that its deterrent had diminished to the point where it ceased to be the strategic asset that it is, then the rhetoric of common values notwithstanding, woe betide the alliance. All of this is, of course, somewhat theoretical. Israel’s military capabilities are still formidable and its political system, albeit flawed as all democracies are, is still capable of rebounding from the current mess it finds itself in. That said, Israelis would do well never to put themselves in a position where they would have to find out what the foreign reaction to a real defeat at the hands of its enemies would be. Should Hezbollah--and its Syrian and Iranian sponsors--ever get their way and inflict a genuine defeat on Israel, the answer to that question won’t matter much, as this would mean the nation’s annihilation. In that case, increased international sympathy--always available for dead Jews as opposed to live ones--will be of little use. Jonathan S. Tobin is Executive Editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He can be contacted via e-mail at: jtobin@jewishexponent.com.
To the Editor: The B’nai B’rith Monsky Lodge formally kicked off its political forum series. Candidates for the Second Congressional District of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat Jim Esch spoke in the first week and incumbent Rep. Lee Terry spoke to our group on Wednesday.. This is the third election cycle that the Breadbreakers lunch program has featured the top candidates in the upcoming political contests. Each candidate speaks for about 15 minutes and takes questions from those present for a like amount of time. The National Council of Jewish Women is co-sponsoring the series. The Jewish Press is covering the “America Decides 2006” and articles about candidates will appear following their appearances; more information will be published in a special election issue on Nov. 3 before the Nov. 7 primary. The following will be appearing: Democratic nominee for governor David Hahn on Sept. 6; (Gov. Heineman spoke in the spring and is unable to speak this fall); candidates for U.S. Senate Pete Ricketts on Sept. 20 and Sen. Ben Nelson on either Oct. 11 or 18; candidates for Douglas County Attorney: Stu Dornan on Sept. 27 and Don Kleine on Oct. 4. The mini-press conferences are held Wednesdays at noon at the Regency Lodge and the community is invited. Gary Javitch, President, Henry Monsky Lodge To the Editor: Amnesty does not recognize the Hezbollah as an army and therefore spe-
ciously describes Hezbollah casualties as civilian casualties. Amnesty has the temerity to accuse Israel of purposely targeting civilian targets. Threaten Amnesty with the loss of nonprofit status. Threaten Amnesty with closure of their office in Israel. Threaten Amnesty with all levels of civil disobedience. David Bedein Bureau Chief Israel Resource News Agency Jerusalem, Israel To the Editor: We are deeply troubled by new evidence that the supposedly neutral United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (“UNIFIL”) assisted Hezbollah terrorists by publishing detailed, sensitive information on Israeli troop movements on its website during the recent Israel/ Hezbollah conflict. (See Lori Lowenthal Marcus, “What did you do in the war, UNIFIL?”, The Weekly Standard, Sept. 4, 2006.) No similar information was published about Hezbollah forces, which fired more than 4,000 missiles aimed deliberately at Israeli civilians. If true, such conduct is unconscionable--although not entirely surprising, given UNIFIL’s sad history of both tacit and active bias towards Hezbollah and against Israel--and raises troubling questions as to whether UN forces can be trusted to even-handedly police this area, just as more are being readied to deploy. We urge an immediate investigation into this matter. Ambassador Alfred H. Moses Chairman, U.N. Watch Hillel C. Neuer, Executive Director
If there has been any group in the United States among whom support for Israel has diminished during the course of more than two decades of media Israel-bashing, it is the Jews--not our non-Jewish neighbors.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: Do not worry; I intended to write for several days. The delay is because coping is more difficult. Adrenaline must be returning to normal, allowing fatigue to set in. But I knew I needed to head home during a break, no matter how tenuous. With all this, and in as ‘PC’ terms as I can muster, a plumbing indiscretion developed in the corridor outside my office. Determined to save my office’s dignity, I remained until the drain covers were securely replaced and the floor washed twice, before heading into the dark to go home. So the first day of the ceasefire was surely appropriate to let you all know how much you meant to me and how you saw me through the 34 days, but come evening when I had been allowing myself to write, an over-zealous maintenance worker over-fumigated outside the building, resulting in all neighboring offices emptying out ASAP. I will not let another day go by without thanking you--for listening, for volunteering, for supporting us. You were there for me and for all of us. We could not and cannot accomplish what we did without you. No, we did not call on our many volunteers, and I know you wanted to come and still want to help. I know it is easier when you are giving, when you are in control, at least of what you are doing. It feels cruel not to have allowed you this comfort, this extreme expression of solidarity. Please, understand; many factors were taken into consideration, not the least of which, is that WGH staff gave
their all. We will not forget your offers. I took Liane Thompson, producer, video-journalist (of Discovery Channel and the series on Level One Trauma Centers) around WGH as the war ended. I cried as I introduced her to the family of Assadi Fares, a three-year-old boy from Der Al Assad who lost not only his mother and five-year-old brother, but also his leg. His grandmother lies in ICU, after losing her leg in the same attack. Death and destruction, for what? Why? As Dr. Daniel said, “Even animals don’t do this to each other.” Is this why we were created? As we walked through the shelter housing Pediatric Surgery, a young mother hearing English welcomed us into the room, allowing Liane to film her sleeping baby. But then she quickly asked, “Where will this be shown? In Lebanon?” She and her family are Lebanese refugees living in Nahariya for the last seven years. No names are taken. Numbers everywhere: numbers of rockets, numbers of dead and wounded, numbers of soldiers, costs of war, costs of rebuilding. People did not rush home as they did after the shelling in previous decades. Many reservists have been released, but the IDF is also skeptical. My son, home for Shabbat, returned to the base for another few days of readiness, just in case. Debriefing will take a while. It’s slow coming. My heartfelt thanks to you for being there for us. Judith Jochnowitz International Liaison Western Galilee Hospital-Nahariya
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
Candlelighting Friday, September 1, 7:39 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
Beyt Shalom An Affiliate of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 3012 S. 119 St. P.O. Box 390352 Omaha, NE 68139 660.2395 www.beytshalomomaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 nebraskajudaism.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 333 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.tiferethlincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by the grandparents of Alex Kirshenbaum, Ryan Kirshenbaum and Bradley Kutler, in honor their becoming B’nai Mitzvah; Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sunday, 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Weekdays, 6:55 a.m./5:30 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAY: Bible Discussion, 10 a.m.; Living Hebrew, 10 a.m., taught by Susi-Frydman-Levin; “The Weekly Parasha: It’s All About Me?!” 10 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg (note: this class will not be held Sept.3); “Jewish Pot Pourri,” 11 a.m., led by Frydman-Levin. All year-long classes are $36 (with the exception of Bible study); For more information, contact Margie Gutnik at the synagogue, or at programming@ bethel-omaha.org CREATING YOUR OWN BOOK OF LIFE: Art class taught by Daniel Christensen, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m., and scheduled for every Tuesday in Sept. Create your own Jewish memories. Cost is $18; for more information, contact Margie Gutnik in the synagogue office. ABBA, EEMA & ME: New learning play group, geared to children from birth to three years old, and their parents, will begin Wednesday, Sept. 6, 9:30-11 a.m. Offers age-appropriate activities, singing and play time. All families in the Jewish community are invited to attend. For information, call Holly Weill at 493.5126, or Margie Gutnik at 492.8550. SHABBAT GUEST PRESENTATION: During Shabbat services on Saturday, Sept. 9, 9:30 a.m., Beth El will welcome guest speaker Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor, national director of the Anti-Defamation League’s education division, based in New York City. Rabbi
Bretton-Granatoor, will address “The Parting of the Ways and Finding a Path to Peace,” examining the historical relationship between Jews and Christians. SHABBAT TUNES & TALES: Saturday, Sept. 9, 11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Monthly sing-along program led by Patty Nogg is open to all Jewish children (up to age five), their parents and grandparents - free of charge. NASHIR CHOIR: Beginning Sunday, Sept. 10, this choir will be held weekly from 11 a.m. to noon at the synagogue, led by Emily Meyer. Open to everyone in the Jewish community ages 14 and up. Cost is $18 (to cover materials). For more information or to sign up, contact Margie Gutnik. CHAVERIM: Youth group for kids in grades 4-6 will enjoy a roller skating party from on Sunday, Sept. 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m., at Skateland at 132 and ‘B’ St. Cost (includes drink and snack) is $6 for Chaverim members, $8 for non-members. RSVP by Sept. 7 to Robert Mosenkis at 492.8550, or youthdir@bethelomaha.org. JEWISH FILM SERIES: Beginning Sept. 18, 7 p.m. and scheduled for the third Monday of each month, the series will offer a variety of full-length features and short films, followed by discussions moderated by Stephen Skulsky. Cost is $36; for more information, contact Margie Gutnik.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 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. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 10 a.m. (contact the office for class schedule); Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; Shabbos House, 3:305:30 p.m. at the home of Gary and Liat Shyken. This month’s Shabbos House is for children under age 5, their parents and siblings; Mincha, 6:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:38 p.m.
BAT MITZVAH Samantha Hayley Juster, daughter of Sara Juster and Sorin Juster, will become Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Beth El. Sam is an eighth-grade Distinguished Scholar Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School and participates in the Excellence in Youth program. She received State recognition in the Duke University Talent Identification Program and was a member of the 2006 WMS Destination Imagination team. Sam sings with the Nebraska Children’s Chorus Bel Canto
choir and swims competitively for Swim Omaha. Her interests include playing piano, reading, drawing, snow and water-skiing, and traveling. For her mitzvah project, Samantha coordinated a benefit concert that raised nearly $5,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief. She also donated her hair to Locks of Love. She has a sister, Caroline and a brother, Ariel. Grandparents are Clara Juster of Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel, and the late Ariel Juster, Robin Jaffe of Overland Park, KS, and Dan Jaffe of Miami Beach, FL. Great-grandparents are Sylvia and David Goldstein of Overland Park, KS.
SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Contact the office for Mincha/ Ma’ariv service time. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m; Contact the office for Mincha/Ma’ariv time. MONDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; the synagogue office is closed for Labor Day. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. Babysitting is provided at no charge; Program Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study, 9 p.m.
BEYT SHALOM FRIDAY: Shabbat in the Home.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service. SUNDAY: Services, 8:30 a.m.; Torah Studies-Journeys exploring the Book of Devorim (Deuteronomy), 10 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Halacha class, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: Women of Worth Prayer Circle, 9 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Kabbalah Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community. For information or to register, call www. 330.1800 or visit Ochabad.com.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Motzi and Kiddush, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, followed by a brief dedication of a new Mezuzah for the southwest door donated by the Emanuels. (Note: no sitter service available). SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m., all led by Rabbi Emanuel. MONDAY: Temple office closed for Labor Day. THURSDAY: Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m.; Board of Trustees, 7 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Marty Shukert.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Unplugged!, 6 p.m. Rabbi Josh Zweiback, Adam Zweiback, Devra Lerner, and Cantor Wendy Shermet. D’var Torah: Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. Special Oneg to follow; Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Eric Linder. Cost for the dinner is $5 for adults and chil-
dren eat for free. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15-10:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Grace Hack, daughter of Rosie Zweiback and Mace Hack, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. TUESDAY, Sept. 5: Life Long Learning, Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 6:30–8 p.m. in the Temple Israel Library. NEW MEMBER DINNER: Friday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m. in the Milder Center Installation of Rabbi Eric Linder and Honor Our New Members, Friday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. Service. Sunday, First Day of Religious School: All School Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m. Parents, grandparents, relatives and friends are invited to join us; Grade 5 Parent Learning coffee with Cantor Wendy Shermet and Rosie Zweiback, Temple Israel’s Program Director, 10:30 a.m.; Religious School Steering Committee/Volunteer Corp 11:15 a.m.; Orientation, Welcome Back Barbeque, noon. On the first Sunday of Religious School, give comfort to the children in the Western Galilee by donating the following items: yoyos; 24-crayons and art paper; playdough and accessories; games with no language barrier (Othello, Mancala, Chess, Backgammon, etc.). At the same time we are collecting the following items for the refugee community in Omaha: pencils; ballpoint pens; three-ring binders; spiral notebooks (wide rule); folders with pockets and a backpack into which the items can be packed.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Services, 7:15 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. No services will be held Sept. 22-Oct. 20. Services on Oct. 20 and 27 will be at 6 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Royi Shaffin. Minyan, MONDAY, & THURSDAY, 9 a.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by a light oneg. SATURDAY: Weekly Parashat class, 8:30 a.m.; Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Shabbat lunch and Talmud class; The aufruf of Rebecca Coren and Benjamin Lasser will be on this Shabbat morning. All congregants are invited to attend and to stay for a kiddush lunch sponsored by the Coren family. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066. Rabbi Shaffin will be leading the class on “Defending Israel in the Public Opinion War” on Sept. 4 and 6, 7:30–9 p.m. Everyone is welcome. We will be using the book, The Case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz LJCS classes start on Sunday, Sept. 10.
September 1, 2006
New Options for Grave Maintenance at Two of Beth Israel’s Cemeteries by MARY BORT Beth Israel Synagogue With High Holidays approaching, thoughts turn to remembering our loved ones. During the transition of moving from the old year to the new, there are many who will make a point of visiting loved ones’ graves. If you visit two of the cemeteries owned by Beth Israel, you will notice a change--many plots now have river rock within the coping areas. The change to river rock is one of two optional approaches to grave maintenance that are now available to families. The Cemetery Committee of Beth Israel, which oversees the Golden Hill Cemetery on No. 42 St. and the Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol (BHH)/Fisher Farms/B’nai Abraham Cemetery on So. 42 St., made the decision to offer families two options for plots that have coping. The options are to replace all plantings within the coping area of a grave with river rock or to remove the coping and plant sod over the plot. Both options are completed at no charge. Families are not required to make any change. According to Beth Israel’s Executive Director, Beth Cohen, the Cemetery Committee developed the rock and sod options because it was becoming difficult to maintain the sedum originally planted within many of the grave copings. “The plants were not thriving,” she said. “And we couldn’t spray for weeds because the treatment would kill the sedum. It wasn’t feasible to weed each plot by hand, so the committee decided to offer new ways to maintain the graves that had coping.” Letters detailing the options were sent to everyone in
Beth Israel’s database. “The response has been overwhelming,” noted Cohen. “The river rock has been the popular choice. So far, we’ve had more than 600 requests for river rock, and a few for grass. The bottom line has been to give families these options so that we can better maintain the two cemeteries and they can be happy with the condition of their loved ones’ graves. We’ve really appreciated that people have been so understanding for the need to make the change, and are pleased to hear from people who say that the look of our cemeteries has greatly improved.” Beth Israel wants to continue “spreading the word” about the free river rock and sod options for the two cemeteries’ plots with coping. “There are graves that have been there a long time that pre-date our database,” explained Cohen. “Any family with loved ones interred at either Golden Hill or Fisher Farms is more than welcome to contact us by sending us a letter or sending me an e-mail. We want the requests in writing so we have correct spellings and can be accurate with any changes we make.” No change to grave sites will be made without the family contacting Beth Israel with their option choice. Requests for river rock or sod options may be e-mailed to BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org or mailed to: Beth Israel Synagogue, 12604 Pacific St, Omaha, NE 68154. Please include individual family member names and which cemetery they are interred. General requests, such as “The Cohen Family” are not specific enough to install the rock or sod. For more details, call the office at 556.6288.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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War Then and War Now
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Ki Teitzei The Torah is very realistic about the nature of man. Man is a complicated creature. At one point, he is thought of as little lower than the angels; and yet, from our experience we know that he is selfish, sometimes brutal, aggressive, nasty and loving. Early in Genesis, the Lord was so angry He wanted to destroy all human life, since man’s thought are evil all day long. It was only because the Lord found Noah a decent human being that human life was saved. In our Sidra, we are reminded of our own times. How is war to be waged--with attention to avoiding killing innocent civilians, or as Hezbollah does, especially to aim at civilians in order to create more and more havoc and more and more despair? But in Ki Teitzei, the Torah tries to control the agressions and lusts of the conquering soldier, who looks upon the world as his. From olden times, it was assumed that the conqueror could do as he wished, especially including rape. It is to this crime that the opening verses of Ki Teitzei are concerned. You see a beautiful young woman? You want her? You lust after her? Well, she is yours--providing you marry her. So even warfare must have its rules. As long as man is man, it is likely there will be war. It would be better if diplomacy solved everything; but if it is not, war must not be allowed to be lawless. Our Sidra, therefore, gives us the innovative idea. War must not be entirely without its rules; it is not lawless. It must be governed not by the unbridled agressiveness of man, but by his deepest consideration of what it ought to mean to be human.
DEATH
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GARY R. GERELICK Omaha native and longtime supporter of B’nai B’rith Gary Gerelick died Aug. 24 at the age of 69. Services were held at Beth El Cemetery on Aug. 27. Despite his physical and mental challenges, Gerelick worked for more than 25 years at Northwestern Bell. So well known was he that when visiting his parents, Phillip and Ida Gerelick, in Arizona, Gary would lunch with the retired president of the company. He was a standard fixture at Jewish community events and knew he could get to the front of the crowd merely by wearing his camera around his neck. He was devoted to Beth El Synagogue and the Henry Monsky Lodge and always had a friendly smile and a story to tell. He is survived by his sister Hally DeCarion, of Santa Rosa, CA, and nieces, Stacy and Marlena deCarion, as well as many cousins. Memorials to Beth El or the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE Due to the Post Office now sending the Jewish Press to Des Moines, IA, for sorting before returning the newspapers to Omaha for delivery, we have been forced to move up our our deadline. Please send all articles, photos and ads to the Press by Thursdays, 9 a.m., for all regular issues (early deadlines for special issues and to accommodate office closings for holidays will be announced in advance). The Press office will be closed this Monday for Labor Day. Questions? Call 334.6448.
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Page 20
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 1, 2006
Lewis & Clark Festival Opening at Blumkin Home
Mayor Fahey Attends Ceremony at Site of Temple Israel’s “Predecessor” by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “This is a special day in the life of our city,” remarked Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, as he stood with the clergy and members of Temple Israel at approximately 23rd and Harney Streets in downtown Omaha marking the spot where the first synagogue in the state of Nebraska once beckoned worshippers through its doors 122 years ago. Mayor Fahey added that he hopes Temple Israel, which is the descendant of the first congregation, called the Congregation of Israel, “continues to blossom and grow” along with all the diverse organizations that prosper in Omaha. “I’m very proud to be here,” added the mayor who attended with his Chief of Staff Paul Landow, a member of Temple Israel. Jerry Klinger, from Rockville, Maryland, President of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP), attended the dedication ceremony. “This couldn’t be done without the cooperation of the community, the mayor, (Temple’s) Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and (President of the Temple Board) Wendy Goldberg, and the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society,” Klinger told the small crowd that gathered between raindrops on Aug. 18 on the tree lined sidewalk near the Federal Reserve Bank. JASHP paid for the plaque and its installation. We take freedom of religion for granted in America, Klinger said. “We don’t appreciate how unusual it is to have this freedom. It’s not the norm and wasn’t the
by ANDREA BARTMAN for JSS/RBJH Many celebrations marking the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark expedition have been taking place in and around Omaha this past year. However, many seniors in the community have not been able to participate in these activities due to large crowds, weather and location. “It seemed sad to me that so many seniors did not have the opportunity to witness such ‘history’,” says Linda Fitzgerald, Activities Director for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and a member of the Mouth of the Platte, a group of dedicated individuals who are ‘keepers of the story, stewards of the trail’. “It is my honor and pleasure to bring the quality and variety that this festival offers to our residents and community.” The festival, with no admission fee for events, begins on Sunday, Sept. 10, 1 p.m., in the lobby of the Blumkin Home with the display of a replica of the boat Lewis & Clark used on their journey. The cutaway keelboat has been designed to show many of the items that would have been packed for their journey. Butch Bouvier of Onawa, IA, designed the keelboat, on display. Dubbed “Mr. Keelboat” by friends and clients, Bouvier is a boatwright, meaning he researches, designs and builds reproduction wooden river and lake craft. Regarding the significance of his work and the importance of displaying these historical reproductions, he says, “That boat was how this country was opened up. It was the semi-truck of 1804 and the river was the interstate system.” Also on display in the lobby of the Blumkin Home will be a Shalom banner designed by Linda Duda, a visual art teacher for Brownell-Talbot School and chair of the Fine Arts Department. On the banner, portraits of Lewis & Clark flank a hazy sunrise over the river. The entire sign is crafted to look as if it was created on old parchment. The festival features four days of events including artifact displays, national presenters and storytellers such as Matthew “Sitting Bear” Jones, a UNL Professor, who will present “The Otoe-Missouria Meet Big Knives”. Jones, in his native attire, will offer a glimpse of the lives, lifestyles and personal feelings of the OtoeMissouria Tribe, a proud and honorable people who once lived and hunted on the Nebraska prairie. Jewish Senior Services and the Blumkin Home Activities Department have supported the festival with major funding from the Nebraska Humanities Council. The NHC receives support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Nebraska State Legislature, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and private donations. Festival events will run from SundayWednesday, Sept-10-13.
Jerry Klinger, left, President of the Jewish American Society for Historical Preservation; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; Wendy Goldberg, president of Temple Israel’s Board of Trustees; and Temple’s Rabbi Aryeh Azriel stand in front of the unveiled plaque at 23rd and Harney Streets marking the spot of Nebraska’s first synagogue. norm at America’s beginning.” He described the later Jewish experience in America as “a golden age for Jews, because of the American experience, Constitution, and way of life. It was an unusual experience for Jews.” Lynn Meyer, from the city planning department, said that the plaque “sets the standard for the design of historical markers to be used in the future in Omaha.” After the ceremony, Klinger thanked the community “for letting me be a little part of your life.”
Sweet Adelines Sparkle at the JCC by ANDREA BARTMAN harmony through education for JSS/RBJH and performances. This indeThe Jewish Community Center pendent, nonprofit music eduwas alive with song, dance and cation association is one of the sequins last month when the world’s largest singing organizaOmaha Chorus of Sweet Adelines tions for women.(Information was featured in a community conwas obtained from www.sweetcert arranged by Jewish Senior adelineintl.org.) Community concerts are part Services. The one-hour show feaof the outreach services offered tured music and choreography to by JSS. “These quality concerts songs such as “Take a Chance” Nancy Goldberg, Director of the Omaha Chorus, are a great way to bring comand ”We Are Family”. The Omaha Chorus consists front, and the Sweet Adelines performed last month munity seniors together for an enjoyable evening and to also of 47 women of varying faiths for JSS and the Blumkin Home residents. and ages who perform publicly about once a month, stay connected with Jewish Senior Services”, says according to Nancy Goldberg, Director of the Omaha Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Chorus and a member of the Sweet Adelines Programs for JSS and the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Upcoming community concerts at the JCC include a International for over 30 years. The worldwide organization of women singers is com- grand finale for the Lewis and Clark festival on Sept. 13 mitted to advancing the musical art form of barbershop and the “Avi8ors” on Oct. 26.
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