September 7, 2012

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA September 7, 2012 20 Elul 5772 Vol. 92 | No. 50

Noddle named Federation president-elect

This Week

by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha The Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors announced this week that Jay Noddle, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Board President and President and Chief Executive Officer of Noddle Companies has been named president-elect effective immediately. Noddle will succeed Board President Jody Malashock following the Federation Annual Meeting on June 3, 2013. “Between Jay’s years on the Foundation board and his recent work on Federation committees, he has had an enormous impact on our structural organization. With everything we’ve accomplished to date, Jay is the guy to take us to the next level,” said Malashock. “He has my complete confidence and total support.” In addition to serving on the Foundation board for over 14 years, the last three as president, Noddle is an active volunteer on several Federation committees whose work was instrumental throughout the “One Campus One Community,” reorganization. He serves on the Planning and Community

Shabbat celebrations for youngsters abound at Beth El Page 6

Forge new family tradition with Temple Israel First Fridays Page 7

Engagement Committee, the Financial Resource Management Task Force, the Human Resource and Compensation Committee, and chairs the search committee for a Chief Development Officer. Jay offered his own view. “I prefer

Friedel welcomes Principal Pam Cohn by COOKIE KATSKEE The Friedel Jewish Academy Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Pam Cohn to serve as principal of Friedel for the 2012/2013 school year. Mrs. Cohn recently retired from the Omaha Public Schools. Her

New Orleans area synagogue finally rebuilt after Katrina Page 12

Jay Noddle

leadership as an administrator has afforded her the opportunities to lecture and present her programs in fifteen different Leadership Conferences across the United States. Last year she served as an adjunct professor for UNO. Pam has earned national recognition for

to think of our recent work as a m o d e r n i z at i o n , rather than reorganization. It’s an important distinction. To modernize implies we’ve taken what’s worked in our past -- and our history is vitally, critically important -- and adapted it to work for our future. And I think that best describes what we’ve done.” “I look forward to working with Jay to further the mission of our Federation. He is an astute businessman, consummate professional and a highly respected member of our community. Jody’s outstanding work has allowed for a smooth transition in leadership,” stated Mike Silverman, Federation Chief Executive Officer. Jay was always available whenever Federation leadership called for his

expertise. But he acknowledged that he was the one learning – learning the needs and wants of the community and the incredible generosity of its members. “I have been impressed with both our lay and professional leaders. I have seen incredible dedication, effort and drive from volunteers from all corners of our Jewish community,” Jay added. “I was honored and humbled to be asked to assume the Federation board presidency in June. Serving the Omaha Jewish community in any capacity has always been a part of my family. We take it very seriously and we just would never say no.” “My goal has been and will remain this: to perpetuate a high quality of Jewish life here in Omaha,” Jay said. According to Marty Ricks, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, Jay has his priorities at the right level. “Jay is just like his dad, Harlan. In his day, Harlan was very involved in the Jewish and secular non-profit life of Omaha. Jay is the same way. He will continue the legacy of his father and lead with determination, passion, and commitment.”

It’s the NCJW Chocolate Festival!

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

8 10 11

Next Week Rosh Hashanah Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

The Kindergartners surround their new principal. Back row, left to right: Max Gurock, Brandon Raffel, Pam Cohn, Shiloh Wertheim, Mo Blair; front row: Sasha Denenberg, Leora Shapiro, and Jacob Gurock. data-driven decision making, high student achievement and starting the first Dual Language Program in Nebraska. In 2010 she was recognized in Washington DC as a nominee for the American Association of School Administrators Outstanding Women in School Leadership Award. In 2011 she was named Continued on page 2

Todd Baker, from Corporate Sponsor Bakers Candies, kept the chocolate flowing at the 2011 chocolate festival. The company will unveil three new flavors of their chocolate meltaways this year. by PAM MONSKY for NCJW-Omaha Section Mouths are watering in anticipation of the 2nd Annual Great Omaha Chocolate Festival, Sunday, Sept. 30, noon-5pm at the

UNO Field House. The event, presented by NCJW, drew more than 2,200 people last year, and this year is shaping up to be even bigger. More than 40 vendors will have Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | September 7, 2012

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by SHERRIE SAAG Communications Specialist, Jewish Federation of Omaha Part rock concert, part rock tribute, and all rock n’ roll. The final Backyard Concert of the season features Billy McGuigan’s Rock Legends show on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. in the JCC backyard. Rock Legends’ musical choices include some of rock history’s best: Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. They’ll move through the 1970’s with the Bee Gees and the piano men, Billy Joel and Elton John, and finish off with the music of the 80’s and the likes of Tom Petty, U2 and Bon Jovi. Self-described as “a dazzling performance of music combined with a stunning multimedia show,” it is certainly unique in that audience participation becomes a part of the show. The audience is encouraged and expected to customize the concert. In other words, we get to pick the songs and music we want to hear. The name Billy McGuigan will sound familiar to those locals who follow the Omaha music and theater scene. His original show, Yesterday and Today: a Beatles Experience, became a holiday staple at the Omaha Community Playhouse. And, he just completed a June engagement, again at the Playhouse, of the crowd favorite, Rave On: the Buddy Holly Experience. McGuigan is producer and lead talent in all three of these nationally touring musical productions. “One of my first musical

memories was of my dad teaching my brother Ryan and me to sing the high harmony on She’s Leaving Home. There we were, ages five and eight, singing terribly, while my dad did his best Paul McCartney impersonation. He couldn’t know at the time he was planting the seeds of a career in music!” His childhood instilled a love of the songs that continues to take him back to the days playing and singing with his dad and brothers. Today, those memories fuel Billy’s innate talent and desire to deliver good times to his audience through music. The Backyard Concert Series is presented by the Jewish Federation of Omaha and generously sponsored by the Sokolof Javitch Music Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Additional support provided by the Special Donor Advised Fund, the Myron (Mike) Milder II Memorial Fund and the Samuel and Bess Rothenberg Memorial Endowment, all of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. The Backyard Concert Series is free and open to the entire community. Coolers and picnic baskets are encouraged and welcome, but if you run short on time, Star Catering will have kosher food for sale. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will move indoors to the auditorium. For more information, call Bob Goldberg, Director of Strategic Initiatives at 402.334.6431.

“My Dad left me a great legacy... the love of music and the desire to share it in a way that makes people laugh, dance, smile, and remember.” – Billy McGuigan

NCJW Chocolate Festival Continued from page 1 booths with an amazing array of products for sale. Samples of the chocolates are available five for $5, and extra samples can be purchased for $1 each. Vendors will also offer anything and everything chocolate for sale at special festival prices. Chocolate Festival tickets are available in advance at www.Omaha ChocolateFestival.com and can also be purchased at the door. Bakers Candies of Greenwood, Nebraska, is the event’s corporate sponsor again this year. General Manager Todd Baker said, “I really enjoyed the chance to interact directly with our customers at last year’s chocolate festival. The feedback and comments we received were terrific, becoming the genesis for some of our exciting new products. The 2012 festival is the perfect place to introduce the three newest flavors of our chocolate meltaways. We’ll see chocolate lovers from all over town, and I can’t wait to see what they think. This event is really fun for us, and of course it all goes towards a great cause. We’re very proud for Bakers Candies to be associated with the Great Omaha Chocolate Festival.” Special events will happen throughout the day. The Cordial Cherry is holding a kids’ chocolate workshop, according to Melissa Stephens, owner. “We are so excited to be participating in this year’s Omaha Chocolate Festival. This is a great opportunity for families to learn about chocolate and get to see and experience confectionery creations from all over the metro! The Cordial Cherry will be featuring one of our most popular workshops at this year’s Omaha Chocolate Festival. Kids who participate will be making chocolate Megalodon Shark Tooth lollipops!” Iowa Western Community College of Culinary Arts students will present a history of chocolate and will show festival attendees the different types of chocolate. Students will also demonstrate how to properly temper chocolate and make some goodies to share with the attendees. Dave Wingert, a popular local disc jockey from the Big O 101.9, will be on hand as the master of ceremony and will certainly keep attendees entertained. NCJW event chairwomen for the Festival are Beth Friedman and Joanie Jacobson. “These wonderful additions to the Festival are just what we were hoping to find -- several new features that add interest and excitement, while keeping the same basic format that was such a huge success last year,” Jacobson said. “We couldn’t ask for a better corporate sponsor than Bakers Candies. Not only do they make an

outstanding product, but they add their own brand of ‘fun’ to the Festival. We’re honored to share the stage with the culinary students from Iowa Western and thrilled with the engaging and innovative hands-on kids’ activities from The Cordial Cherry. Of course, Dave Wingert is always colorful and spirited, so we have every reason to believe that Omaha is in for one truly ‘great’ afternoon on September 30!” For more information about the Great Omaha Chocolate Festival and to see a listing of all the great vendors who will be participating, please visit www.OmahaChocolate Festival.com and find us on Facebook. National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Proceeds from the Great Omaha Chocolate Festival will benefit Omaha section’s community service projects including: Mini-Grants for Teachers, Reading Pups, WCA, AdoptA-School and RAFT (Resources Available for Teens).

Pam Cohn Continued from page 1 Omaha Public Schools Magnet Principal of the Year and Region VII Magnet Principal of the Year. Pam earned a State of Nebraska Professional Teaching Certificate with Endorsements: in K-12 Music and Principal (K-12). She continues to demonstrate her educational professionalism by networking with multiple professional leadership organizations, which keep her current in today’s ever-changing world of education After years of experience in the classroom and as an administrator, Pam’s genuine enthusiasm continues to be vibrant, inviting and proficient. “We are certain that Pam will connect with the school community and the Jewish Community as well. She will continue the student-centered focus we expect at Friedel Jewish Academy.” Welcome, Pam, we are counting on your guidance to keep Friedel students moving forward with pride in their heritage, commitment to their values and optimism about their world.

September 7, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 3

Historic Torah excites Omaha community by RABBI LEIBEL BAUMGARTEN for the Chabad Center Excitement is mounting as last minute preparations are made for the Omaha Unity Torah Community Celebration on Sept. 20. The final letters of the first ever Torah scroll to be started and completed in Omaha will be written at the dedication ceremony at the JCC, to be followed by a grand car parade to the scroll’s new home featuring music, floats, vintage cars, open top buses and more. Hakafot, lively dancing and a buffet dinner conclude the event at the Chabad Center. “I’m happy and excited to be part of Chabad’s Unity Torah Celebration,” says Joanie Jacobson, who is hosting the event along with Joel and Daphna Alperson, Tom and Darlynn Fellman, Larry Kavich and Joe and Maxine Kirshenbaum. “What is more unifying, more meaningful, more sacred than our Torah? To witness the last letter of the last word to be written, to accompany the Torah to its new home at the Chabad Center, to sing and dance, to share in a meal, to share in the joy; it’s just glorious! What a wonderful reason to unite in celebration. So, let’s!” “It’s a tremendous opportunity to provide many educational opportunities,” says Estie Baumgarten, Event Coordinator. “Aside from our ongoing Facebook Kids Art Contest, where children are submitting videos and illustrations depicting unity for the chance to win a $72.00 Amazon gift card, there will be a hands-on display at the dedication depicting exactly how a Torah gets made. Kids will also have the chance to learn the ancient scribal arts and write their own Hebrew name with a quill on parchment.” As soon as the Torah is completed, Larry Kavich will recite “Hagomel” – a blessing of thanksgiving, having undergone a kidney transplant with an organ donated by his daughter, Amy. Her selfless act saved his life and epitomizes the sense of unity and caring the Unity Torah represents. It will be the first of what will surely be thousands of blessings to be recited over the new Torah.

The Torah, being held underneath a decorative velvet chupah (canopy), will be paraded by a trail of adults and kids adorned in their Unity torah T-shirts, driving proudly down Omaha’s city streets. Ollie-the-Trolley will be on hand to ferry some lucky children, while vintage cars follow closely

behind a magnificent, state of the art float and a live band. The party doesn’t end with the parade, but continues with a Simchat Torah-like celebration at the Chabad Center, followed by a bountiful buffet dinner and a “Wall of Unity” for participants to add their names to a community driven to add goodness and kindness into the world.

“The notion of a Unity Torah began before the 50th birthday of my husband, Rabbi Mendel Katzman,” explains Shani Katzman. “We knew that a communal gift in the spirit of uniting community members through Torah would be superb and meaningful. The idea of the Torah uniting the community is a message that has resonated deeply. We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm the community has shown. Volunteers are assisting in every facet of the event planning; from food to décor, building to music, there is someone willing to play their part. And everyone is invited to celebrate and to feast!” The Event committee (as of the writing of this article) includes: Devra Bram, Shirley Cemaj, Tippi Denenberg, Debbie Denenberg, Andy Greenberg, Gary and Karen Javitch, Frankie Kasin, Kelly Kirk, Justin Kohll, Cheryl Lerner, Danny Margulies, Suzi Mogil, Anna Mosenkis, Julie Philips, Judy Rosenfeld, Dan and Yaffa Schuller and Louri Sullivan. To reserve your T-shirt or one of the limited spots on Ollie the Trolley, please visit www.omahatorah.com or contact torah@ochabad.com to volunteer or hear about special endowment opportunities.

Livingston Foundation grant applications by HOWARD EPSTEIN The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Milton S. and Corinne N. Livingston Foundation, Inc. will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. The primary interest of the Milton S. and Corinne N. Livingston Foundation, Inc. is to support Jewish institutions and projects. The Foundation has a secondary interest in supporting health, education, cultural and social services in the Omaha Metropolitan area. Grant requests should be submitted in writing, using the

appropriate forms, to Howard N. Epstein at 11605 Miracle Hills Drive, Suite 300, P.O. Box 542005, Omaha, NE 68154. Guidelines are as follows: 1. Grants will be limited to organizations located within the Omaha Metropolitan area and the State of Israel. 2. No grants will be given for capital or endowment campaigns. 3. Organization representatives may contact Howard Epstein at 402.492.9800 for a grant application form. The deadline for grant requests is Friday, Sept. 28.

Club AUGUST

2012

MEMBERS

REPO RTER

EDITOR

PUBLISHER

Marcia Arch Beth Cohen and Harry Berman Frederick Cassman Molline Cassman Leta Rae Cherniss Bill Cohen Janey Dann Toba Cohen Dunning Eric Dunning Mel Epstein Elizabeth Gilbert Jordana Glazer Kim and Bob Goldberg Alan Goodman Lis and Hugo Kahn Julee Katzman Dana Kaufman Abigail and Adam Kutler Bonnie and Steve Levinger Vicki Perlmeter Stacey and Jonathan Rockman Debbie and Lloyd Roitstein Susan Rothholz Lynne and Errol Saltzman Caryn Scheer Sherry and Larry Shapiro Nancy Skid Janice Wayne

Andrew Brock Ilse and Marcel Kahn Dolores and Don Klein Sara and Ari Kohen Sandra and Marvin Kohll Nancy and Howard Kutler Amy and Paul Rabinovitz Iris and Marty Ricks Nancy Rips Suzanne Singer Melissa and Michael Schop Wayne Schwarz Carita Sommer Rita and Robert Yaffe

Bruce Belgrade Cheryl and Ron Cooper Eunie and Norm Denenberg Mimi Rogers and Scott Farkas Beverly and Richard Fellman Amy and Sandy Friedman Beth and Moshe Gershovich Don Goldstein Karen and Gary Javitch Gloria and Howard Kaslow Marsha and Milton Kleinberg Bobbi Leibowitz Jody and Neal Malashock Patty and Steve Nogg Linda and Bruce Potash Judy and Aaron Rosenfeld Teresa and Andy Ruback Phyllis Brown and Richard Self Mimi and Mike Silverman Harriet Singer Joodi and Norman Veitzer Nancy and Phil Wolf Jeremy Wright

4 | The Jewish Press | September 7, 2012

You are invited to J-Day Tri-Faith picnic brings faiths together by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer As part of the Tri-Faith Initiative, Temple Israel invites its members to attend the annual picnic on Sunday, Sept. 9. The picnic will be held at 13906 Gold Cir., from 1-3 p.m., and will include families from each of the three congregations involved in Tri-Faith--Temple Israel, the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture. “[The] Tri-Faith picnic is an opportunity for the members of our religious groups to meet each other in a quiet and comfortable environment,� Rabbi Azriel says. “Let’s enjoy each other and bless God for the gift of living in America,� he added. “Away from the confinement of our institutions, with a plate and a ball, life becomes amazingly more simple and sacred.� Lisa Lewis, who has been a longtime supporter of Tri-Faith, also applauds interfaith events like this. “It’s a great opportunity to have different families mingle,� Lewis said. “It’s fun to see all the kids play AIISC member Mona Kalim, left, together.� The Tri-Faith and Temple Israel member Lisa picnic is a casual, Lewis enjoying themselves at a preinformal get- vious Tri-Faith picnic. together that is a wonderful way for people of different faiths to get to know one another better, Lewis added. Held at the AIISC’s interim worship location, the TriFaith picnic will include children’s activities, games for everyone and plenty of time to socialize and share stories with one another, according to the Tri-Faith Initiative website. If you’d like to attend, no RSVP is required, though you are asked to bring a dish to share. But please, no pork, shellfish or gelatin. Breads, fruits, vegetarian dishes and salads would be appreciated. The Tri-Faith Initiative was first proposed in 2006 as a way to build bridges and forge lasting friendships between the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Temple Israel and AIISC came together to discuss a plan to build new homes for their congregations next to each other. After the initial meeting, the two groups realized that they consisted of two Abrahamic religions, and if they were able to find a Christian congregation with which to partner, they could together build something truly historic. By the end of 2011, the three Tri-Faith congregations, Temple Israel, AIISC, and the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, had each purchased a plot of land near 132nd and Pacific. The Tri-Faith Initiative also purchased a plot of land for a fourth building that will serve as a nondenominational community and education center. This will bring the total area for the three congregations and Tri-Faith to 35 acres. The land used to be part of Ironwood Country Club, originally named Highland Country Club. It was Omaha’s first Jewish country club at a time when Jews were banned from joining other clubs. Once completed, the Tri-Faith Initiative will comprise three distinct houses of worship, the first of which, the new Temple Israel, will be completed in the fall of 2013.

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by DENISE IPOCK JCC Member Services Director Please join us in celebrating a wonderful event at the JCC. On Sept. 9 we will be hosting J- Day. If you haven’t been to the JCC in a while, or haven’t experienced any of our outstanding programming recently, you really need to see what you have been missing! Throughout this exciting day a wide variety of activities are planned, designed for members of the Jewish communi-

Some of the day’s events: Compete Tours of The JCC Indoor Pool open 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Outdoor pool 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities for ages 13 and up: 8-9 a.m.: Mick Doyle’s Kickboxing 8:30-10:30 a.m.: Men’s Pick-up Basketball 9:15-10:30 a.m.: Hatha yoga 9-10 a.m.: Water Aerobics(group ex.) 9-9:45 a.m.: Spinning; Bike for the Fight Biker attending class 10 a.m.-Noon: Pick-up Volleyball 11-11:45 a.m.: Sunday Stretch 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Small group classes/demos in Fitness Center (abs/back, Pilates, TRX, Legs, chest/back) 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Reformer Pilates Demos on the hour, 11/12/1/2 noon-1 p.m.: Ripped (class combines martial arts, strength movements, athletic training) (group ex.) 2:15-3 p.m.: 20/20 (group ex.) Bike for the Fight: an amazing and inspiring group from Israel, who are bicycling across the USA, will raise awareness of cancer research in Israel.

p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. Come early and stay late, or come for as much of the day as you can! As you can see, we have an amazing day planned for our Jewish community at The JCC. Sept. 9 will be the perfect day to seriously consider a membership at the JCC, and to make it even more enticing we are currently offering a membership special. Join now, pay for 2013 in full, and receive the rest of 2012 free! (If you prefer to pay in monthly installments there will also be a discount available if you choose

10-11 a.m.: Bike for The Fight Adult Ride from One Pacific Place to Seymour Smith Park and back. 4:30-5 p.m.: Bike for the Fight presentation for adults in the theatre and for children in the auditorium 5-5:45 p.m.: Kids’ bike obstacle course on the outdoor basketball court Silvia Herzkopf, JCC Nutritionist will be providing smoothies, nutritional information, & healthy recipes (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) JCC Physical Therapist, Kurt Harte will be answering questions, and providing handouts about physical therapy at The JCC Children/Family Activities: Shofar Factory Presentation with Chabad in JCC auditorium at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.: Get ready for the New Year with a celebration of the Shofar, observing how Shofars are made and even participate in making one (there will be a charge for making an actual shofar to take home) 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Art Activity at the Child Development Center Bounce House throughout the day

ty of every age and interest area. It will be a delightful day on the campus with The JCC showcasing the myriad of programming available. There will be something for everyone, and all activities are free of charge. This day of wellness and fun begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts all the way through the Backyard Concert which begins at 6

Observe JCC Dance classes Youth department game room open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Free play and organized games 1-2 p.m.: Soccer: ages 3 and one half to 5, and kindergarten, 1st grade 1-3 p.m.: Flag Football: ages kindergarten through 5th grade 1-2 p.m.: Tae Kwon Do 1 p.m.: Observe select basketball clinic in gymnasium 5-5:45 p.m.: Kid’s Bike Obstacle Course in CDC Parking Lot Grandparents Day at The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 1-4 p.m.: Antique Car Show, Ice Cream Social, Gift Shop Sidewalk Sale, Face Painting, Photo Booth 4-6 p.m.: JCC 2nd Annual Doggie Dive: As the outdoor pool closes for the year, the last two hours are reserved for our canine friends. Bring your dogs to enjoy the JCC pool! 6-8 p.m.: Backyard Concert Complete this fun filled day with the free Backyard Concert

this route). Remember: one of the best ways you can support your Jewish community and the JCC is through JCC membership. For more information please contact Kathy McGauvran, JCC Customer Service Director, at 402.334.6427 or Denise Ipock, JCC Member Services Director, at 402.334.6552.

Krav Maga: now at the JCC! by MARGIE UTESCH Temple Israel Staff Writer The Jewish Community Center is proud to partner with Mike Kassebaum of Omaha ATA Martial Arts to offer Krav Maga this fall. Krav Maga (Hebrew for ‘contact combat’) is the official self-defense system of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Kassebaum is one of four certified Krav Maga instructors in Nebraska. The system was born in combat in the late 1940’s and is designed to be easy to learn and easy to remember when under stress. In addition to being an amazing form of self-defense training for use in the real world, Krav Maga will help you get leaner and stronger. This worldrenowned training has methods that involve high intensity cardio and strength conditioning, working to improve your overall conditioning.

There are no forms or rules in Krav Maga; the training focuses on teaching simple self-defense techniques based on the body’s natural reactions. Krav Maga is a modern selfdefense method designed to be used against both unarmed and armed attackers, as well as multiple attackers. It is based on principles rather than techniques. Sessions are $20 each; a basic package of six sessions costs $99, gloves and a t-shirt can be purchased for $59. The Elite Package offers 12 Sessions for $185; Elite members receive 50% off all seminars (gun defense, knife defense, car-jacking, other). Elite Members also get gloves and a t-shirt for $49 ($10 savings). Classes begin at the JCC on Sept. 10 – located in the gym every Monday from 11-11:50 a.m. For more information, please call Brian Henson at 402.334.6422, or email bhenson @jccomaha.org

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September 7, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 5

NCJW volunteers give back

Beth Israel LEAP provides exciting new programs for Jewish teenagers by ILANA WEISS Beth Israel Synagogue is introducing an all-new approach to its high school youth group this year. The program called Beth Israel LEAP (Leadership, Education and Action Program) allows each teen participant to design his or her own youth group experience by providing tracks to mix and match in the fields of learning, acts of kindness, and Israel advocacy. Teens will have the opportunity to choose to participate in one, all, or as many of these tracks as they want to suit their own personal and social ambitions. “High School Students are busy,” stated Beth Israel’s Education Committee Chairperson, Aviva Segall. “We want them to feel that when they are taking time to join our programs, it is in a way that is most meaningful for them.” The first track is called “Limmud” meaning “Learning”. This is designed for teens with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to delve into an engaging form of study. Rabbi Jonathan Gross will lead 17 thought provoking sessions over the course of the year on Sunday mornings from 10–10:45 a.m. at Beth Israel. Patricia Newman, Beth Israel’s Executive Director explained, “Rabbi Gross is an amazing and engaging educator who has an incredible scope of knowledge. That teens will have a chance to learn from him on a regular basis is an experience that can’t be matched by anything else.” Secondly, Beth Israel is teaming up with the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home to develop the first-of-its-kind program called “RBJH Connection”. This track will meet on Sunday afternoons from 2:30–4 p.m. on a monthly basis at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Teens will direct this program where they will have a chance to form meaningful relationships with “adopted grandparents,” as well as create their own events for residents and teenagers to enjoy together. RBJH Connection is the only structured opportunity in Omaha for teens to volunteer at RBJH; it is great for those looking to give back to the community or maintain community service hours. Lois Wine, Director of Volunteer Services at RBJH is very excited about this new initiative. “For a long time, we have been hoping to start a program like this at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. I am so happy to have high school students take an active role in our residents’ experiences.” Back this year is Teens 4 Israel. Led by a team made up of Rabbi Gross and Community Shlicha, Gili Gutwirth, Teens 4 Israel provides a forum to discuss and implement ways to be informed and advocate on behalf of Israel. Meetings for Teens 4 Israel will take place five times during the year on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Starbucks on 114th & Dodge. Additional opportunities for Teens 4 Israel will come up throughout the year when meetings with lawmakers, AIPAC representatives and other guest speakers are in

Omaha. Students who demonstrate great commitment to Teens 4 Israel will have the opportunity to attend a special shabbaton in the spring on the east coast. Finally, all students are encouraged to take part in Omaha Jewish Connections (OJC), which will take place on ten occasions throughout the year, providing an energetic, challenging, and informative approach to learning about Judaism and how it applies to the lives of high school students. Topics will include program themes and will be presented to explore a number of questions. Among them are: “Is it more important in life to be good, kind, smart or happy? Can you name the Ten Commandments? What does Judaism teach us about the treatment of animals?” The OJC will also provide a place for students to socialize with other Jewish high school students from the entire Omaha community. Beth Israel LEAP was developed after consulting with Beth Israel teens who were looking for Jewish youth group activities that were more than simply social gatherings. Aviva Atri, one of Beth Israel’s teens who participated in that discussion stated, “Hanging out with my friends is fun, but I also want my youth group to be a place where I can strengthen my Jewish identity.” In addition to the tracks available for teens to choose from, Beth Israel will hold monthly Shabbat dinners for high school students, and travel to shabbatons as well as hold a local shabbaton. All of Beth Israel’s teen programs are open to all Jewish teens regardless of synagogue affiliation. For more information, dates of programs or to register, contact weiss.ilana@yahoo.com.

Marriages CHRISTENSEN/HERRICK Dr. Jesica Christensen and Gregory Herrick were married on May 27, 2012, at Spiaggia in Chicago. The bride is the daughter of Cathy and William Christensen. She attended Northwestern University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is a Fellow in Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. She is the granddaughter of of the late Dr. Earl and Lee Wigodsky and Juanita and the late Wayne Christensen. The groom is the son of Sandra and the late Milton Herrick of Chicago. He attended Perdue University in Lafayette, IN, and is a software engineeer for Kraft Foods International. He is the grandson of the late Mina and Carlton Olson and the late Alice and Donald Herrick. Following a wedding trip to Croatia the couple will reside in Chicago.

It’s the Beat! with Karen Sokolof Javitch & Jody Vinci www.Itsthebeat.net

Karen@Itsthebeat.net

It’s the Beat! On the Mighty 1290 KOIL (am) Saturdays Noon-1 p.m. A Variety Show highlighting singers, actors, artists, authors & the music of Karen Sokolof Javitch. Call 402-393-3893 for bookings.

✃ CLIP AND SAVE ✃ CLIP AND SAVE ✃

by SHARON HOUCHIN and ALICE KLEIN “The midtown school does not have the community supVice-Presidents of Public Relations, NCJW-Omaha Section port many other schools are able to depend on. Much of the Twenty National Council of Jewish Women-Omaha expense for school supplies is dependent on the teachers Section (NCJW-Omaha Section) volunteers handed out ability to purchase them,” said Harriet Epstein, program school supplies to 270 students at Jackson Elementary on chairwoman, and a retired Omaha Public Schools teacher Aug. 20 as part of its miswho currently substitutes for the district. sion to help children in the Epstein purchased over community. $2,000 worth of school “It was a very rewarding supplies from designated experience to pass out all funds and assistance from of the school supplies today. Truly heart-warmthe Carl Frohm Foundaing,” said Sonia Tipp, an tion. In previous years, the NCJW-Omaha Section section has been able to board member. Tipp’s son, buy library books and Asher, also helped to prespencil sharpeners for the ent the supplies, an effort classrooms. Unfortunately, appreciated by Principal The volunteers from NCJW’s Omaha Section who helped passed the organization fell short out school supplies to 270 students at Jackson Elementary. $1,500 this year and could Tynisha Northcutt. “I’m happy to be participating in a program that encour- not buy backpacks for the children because of cutbacks by ages and teaches community support. We’re moving from businesses and philanthropic groups, which were depended Good to Great with the support of the National Council of on for donations. “Several of the students have nothing to keep their school Jewish Women. I truly thank them for their support and awesome volunteers who take time to come out to give back supplies in except the plastic bags brought from home,” Epstein said. to our students,” Northcutt said. NCJW-Omaha is seeking a partner to help purchase backNCJW-Omaha Section, a nonprofit organization that uses Jewish values to aid women and children, has donated school packs for all Jackson Elementary students. If an organization supplies to Jackson Elementary for seven years. It selected the or individual would like to help, email Harriet Epstein at rehbm@cox.net. midtown Omaha school based on its need for assistance.

John Sieler State Board of Education 2012 SCHEDULE Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 23

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votejohn@johnsieler.com Paid for by John Sieler for State Board of Education 7801 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68124

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402.334.8200

6 | The Jewish Press | September 7, 2012

Sports

Shabbat celebrations for youngsters abound at Beth El

Publishing Date | 09.28.12 Space Reservation | 09.17.12 Camera Ready Deadline | 09.19.12 Contact your advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees

402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

Are You Looking for a Place to Spend the High Holidays?

Spend Them With Us! Beth El Synagogue - Your Home for Conservative Judaism Our Doors Are Always Open No tickets required

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by JILL BELMONT Shabbat Morning Story Time, led by Shira Beth El Publicity Coordinator Abraham, is a recently-established monthly As the new year begins, so does a new year program for the three-and-under crowd and of children’s Shabbat programming, includ- their favorite adults (older siblings are weling Tot Shabbat, the new Oh Say Shalom to come, too). These special get-togethers will Shabbat, and Shabbat Story Time. Tot Shabbat, which begins Friday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., is a perennial favorite among the toddler set, parents and grandparents. This charming program features singalongs, storytelling, creative movement and an interactive introduction to Shabbat rituals. The upcoming program will be led by special guest Shira Abraham, who is standing in for regular service leader Patty Nogg. Following the At the Beth El Tot Shabbat last June, Shira Abraham, service, the celebration continues seated at right, led families in a fun-filled musical celeduring a fun-filled, kid-friendly bration. dinner. There is no charge for children ages six and younger. To make a reser- feature Jewish stories, songs, fingerplays, and vation, visit www.bethel-omaha.org, con- much more. second grade students are weltact Program Director Margie Gutnik in the come to our service at 11 a.m. office, 402.492.8550, or programming@ Beth El’s children also have the opportunibethel-omaha.org. ty to participate in weekly Shabbat obserOh Say Shalom to Shabbat, which also vances during Junior Congregation. Through begins Friday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., is geared to this 10 a.m. service, youths learn the liturgy children from the first grade and up. This of the service from adults and older teens, contemporary, creative and musical service is and celebrate Shabbat with their peers. led by a variety of congregants, as well as cler“The most natural way to learn prayer is to gy members and Director of Congregational pray in the environment of the synagogue,” Learning, Eadie Tsabari. At the end of the Tsabari said. “Students in grades 3 - 7 are program, participants are invited to join the welcome on Shabbat morning for learning Tot Shabbat families for dinner in the West and leadership, and second-grade students Court (see reservation details above). are welcome to join our service at 11 a.m. “Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat is a time to be “Shabbat morning gives our students the with friends and family as we embrace the opportunity to be tutored by our experienced beginning of the best part of the week,” teens, who will be leading the services and Tsabari said. “Guest speakers will include encouraging our youth to be future leaders,” Rabbi Abraham, Hazzan Krausman and she added. “We hope that kids will bring their others from our community. We will sing parents, too -- Shabbat can be habit forming!” all of our favorite Shabbat songs, enjoy stoAll families in the Jewish community are rytelling and pearls from the portion of the welcome to join these Shabbat celebrations. week, discuss thorns and roses, and join our For more information, contact Tsabari in friends for a Shabbat meal. What a great way the BESTT office, 402.498.0904, or at to welcome Shabbat!” etsabari@bethel-omaha.org.

Financing a college education

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SEPTEMBER 13 @ 6:30 pm !"#$%&'%(#)*+%,-#$.-% /0)*-11+%2%3!41%5#1)6-$ Reception sponsored by Jewish Social Services.

by BETH BROWN-GERSHOVICH for Russ Kaplan Investments Repaying student loans has become a serious financial issue with the bad economy resulting in a lack of jobs for college graduates. I believe if you are going to be going to college or have a loved one who will be attending in the future, it is necessary to consider costs when making a decision. Will the benefit of the degree be worth the cost to acquire the degree? One misconception many seem to have is that an academic university/college degree is necessary for everyone, when it comes to finding a job. This is not necessarily true. There are many skilled jobs not requiring a college degree that pay

more than a lot of academic university/college graduates are getting. There are smaller colleges/technical universities (like DeVry) that specialize in educating and training students for these skilled jobs. The cost of tuition may also be lower. It may be okay not to go to college, but it is NOT okay to not have a skill that someone is willing to pay you for. I would therefore recommend if you do go to college that you consider what you will be able to do with the degree and weigh it against the cost that going to college will require, and whether or not the career you want to work in requires an academic university education, as opposed to more specialized training at another educational institution.

OCTOBER 2 @ 7:00 pm M*#:!D%8$/-':!C Followed with a talk-back led by Alan Potash, Director of the ADL. Reception to follow.

OCTOBER 16 @ 7:00 pm /)*!-1%9$-C%2%M*!C-%?#D-C@!4: Followed with talk-back led by Alan Potash, Director of the ADL. Reception sponsored by Beth El Synagogue.

NOVEMBER 28 @ 7:00 pm G:#D%9H+%I!C/-1%A/@-D6/C'+%B!:-D%&J%K#4C.+%%%% I-@#$!*%I!D*% ##$-%2%8!C/!%9HL;!1H@-$.-$ Reception hosted by Young Jewish Omaha.

NOVEMBER 29 @ 7:00 pm =*/->%?!@@/%A#$'%B#C!0*!C%;!)6D%2%E$!%81!0#F Reception sponsored by Beth Israel Synagogue.

DECEMBER 16 @ 7:15 pm 7$4)-%8-/1-$%2%9:/'%;!< Reception hosted by Young Jewish Omaha.

It’s the Beat! on the Mighty 1290 KOIL by NORMA JOHNSON What do Elaine Jabenis, Karen Sokolof Javitch and Maureen Dunkel have in common? If you heard It’s the Beat! on the Mighty 1920 KOIL AM at noon Saturday, you already know! It is a love and respect for Princess Diana! Karen and Elaine are co-writers of Princess Diana, the Musical for which Karen wrote all the music. Maureen Dunkel, is owner of the Princess Diana Dress Collection and author of the book, My Decade with Diana. If you missed the show you can listen to that and any past shows at www.Itsthebeat.net. “It’s inspiring to discover so many talented people who have their roots right here in our state,” Karen says. “Each week as we prepare for the show we are in awe of the wealth of talent among us!” Sally Deskins, author of Les Femmes Folles – Promoting and Supporting Women in Art, talked

about her discoveries, and she was inspired as she worked to gather material for the book. This Saturday we will talk with Manya Nogg and Randy Nogg. You know Rick’s Boatyard Café is about great food, a relaxing view and fun with friends or family... but learn about the mystery and drama that also happen there. Andy Greenberg will tell Jody and Karen why they may never run out of talented Nebraska people to interview. He will share about Nebraska’s Got Talent as they move toward finals. If you hear one of Karen’s songs that you like, find her CDs at Nebraska Furniture Mart or www.jmrproductions.com. Individual songs can be purchased at www.CDBaby.com. Jody says, “Tune in again Saturday and continue to laugh and learn with us.” If you know of guests we should interview or you are such a talent call 402.393.3893 and let us know!

PAID AVERTISEMENTS

September 7, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 7

Forge new family tradition with Temple Israel First Fridays by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Temple Israel is excited to begin what hopefully will become a new Shabbat tradition: First Fridays at Temple Israel. Beginning on the first Friday in September, Temple Israel will host a Shabbat service and dinner geared toward families and the younger members of the congregation. The service will be full of music and songs, followed by dinner and schmoozing. “The evening will be about being in community, being here [at Temple Israel],” said Rabbi Josh Brown. “It’ll be a little more casual and [family]-friendly.” The evening will begin in the lobby, with the blessing over the candles at 6 p.m. Congregants will be asked to participate in the lighting of the candles, after which the Shabbat service will be held in the sanctuary. Temple Israel’s youngest will have a Tot Shabbat service of their own to attend in the Livingston Chapel. Tot Shabbat will be open to children up to first grade and will feature music and songs suitable for their ages. Carrie Fingold will be leading the first Tot Shabbat service. She’s planning a fun, interactive 20 minute service with a brief Bible story and familiar songs and blessings. Fingold wants children to enjoy their time at Temple Israel. “My children like being here,” Fingold said. “When we say we’re going to Tot Shabbat, my kids get really excited.” While the adult service in the sanctuary is expected to last 45 minutes, the Tot Shabbat service will end a little earlier so the children can start eating sooner. When Tot Shabbat is over, the children will be led to the Milder Center, where there

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Brad Dickson writes two columns for the Omaha WorldHerald. In one, he looks at everyday life; in the other, he examines the sports world. He will speak on Wednesday, Sept. 5, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH It has been said that Yiddish doesn’t only have words, it also has an attitude. Leo Rosten wrote “Yiddish never takes its tongue out of its cheeks!” Come join us at the Rose Bumkin Home’s Boardroom, at 1-3 p.m., every Thursday.

will be a separate, family-friendly menu waiting for them. Once the main Shabbat service is over, parents will have the

night, so that people can enjoy having their family and their kids here at Temple,” Rabbi Brown said. After dinner, Temple Israel will have babysitters on hand in the Milder Center, so the adults can relax and socialize without having to worry about where their children are or what they’re getting into. “My hope is people come for dinner and stay and spend time with each other,” Rabbi Brown said. While First Fridays will be monthly, Tot Shabbat will be held five times throughout the year on Friday nights. The initial First Friday dinner will be free, with future dinners sponsored by different congregants who will act as greeters, and servers at dinner. Be sure to check out the calendar on the Temple Israel website for future First Friday and Temple Israel’s First Friday Shabbat services will be family-friendly, with a Tot Shabbat dates. Email RSVP@templeislot of music and singing. raelomaha.com to save your place at the table. option of eating in the social hall or taking their plates to the For additional information or if you have any questions, Milder Center to enjoy dinner with their children. please contact Program Director Wendy Goldberg at wgold “We’re just looking for this community to be here on this berg@templeisraelomaha.com.

Caring Senior Service by KATHY LANGDON Caring Senior Service Great Care can be there for you if you plan a surgery, or have had a sudden change in your health status. Perhaps you’ve had a fall that requires a hip replacement, or you’ve scheduled surgery for knee replacement. While undergoing treatments at a hospital or receiving rehabilitation, Caring Senior Service can support and reinforce your post-discharge activities that have been prescribed by your physician. Post surgery, seniors often need care from numerous doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals requiring tranitioning between multiple institutions of care (hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, doctors’ offices and home) in order to obtain the services they need. Coordination of this care is key to reducing risk and fostering optimal outcomes during rehabilitation and recovery at home. Our Care Coordination process coordinates these services and resources needed to address all areas of concern and ensure the family has ease of access and peace of mind. We can assist with Home Health, working side-by-side,

together, for optimum outcome recovery results. We make sure that all other professional care providers are informed of your status as necessary. Since we will be in your home more than other care providers, such as home health nurses, our professional care givers can serve as the eyes and ears for these healthcare providers, and help them be proactive in their care approach as well as be alerted to any possible early warning signs that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Our caregivers become like family as they discuss common problems, coping strategies and goals. If a hospital needs to discharge and there is no one at home, we can stand in as a proxy family member, preventing an unsafe discharge. Let Caring Senior Service be part of all your healthcare needs. The professional staff at Caring Senior Service has been practicing care coordination nationally for over 20 years. Please visit our website for more information at CaringSeniorService.com or call the Omaha office at 402.683.7326. You will be happy you did!

PAID AVERTISEMENT

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8 | The Jewish Press | September 7, 2012

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Crying Wolf

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Coming freshly off the Rainbow Jane story, it is possible that some news outlets are somewhat hesitant to speak out about hate crimes. It’s a shame, and a dangerous one at that: any victim who appears to have been targeted by intolerant wolves should be given the benefit of the doubt. At least until the whole story comes to light. It is possible that Rainbow Jane has nothing to do with the price of tea in China, and yet I can’t help but notice the underwhelming media response to what allegedly happened to 19-year-old Zachary Tennen from East Lansing, Michigan. Here’s the story: Tennen, a student at Michigan State University, attended an off-campus party on Saturday, Aug. 25, when he was approached by two men who asked him if he was Jewish. When he answered in the affirmative, they raised their arms in Nazi salutes, yelled ‘Heil Hitler,’ and proceeded to beat him. The attack left him with a broken jaw, and after he fell unconscious, they stapled his mouth shut. Tennen said they claimed to be members of the Ku Klux Klan. Allegedly. And that’s where the story becomes problematic: witnesses, according to police, could not verify there was anything anti-Semitic about the attack. Instead, they claimed they saw Tennen arguing with two men, after which one of them punched him in the face. Nobody called the police; in fact, they weren’t notified until 12 hours later. Captain Jeff Murphy of the East Lansing police department says it’s “too early to call it a hate crime.” Apparently, at the time of his statement, police had not interviewed the victim yet, although they did identify one suspect. At the same time as that story broke in the New York Daily News, The Jerusalem Post reported Tennen had talked to a radio station in Detroit. How is it possible that a Detroit DJ interviews the victim, but not the police? Someone needs to get the story straight.

The next day, Aug. 29, The Detroit leg of the Huffington Post reported local police said religion was not a factor in the attack. Also, they found no evidence of stapling in Tennen’s mouth. “There’s a lot more to this than what is on the surface,” Captain Murphy said. In the meantime, there are two witnesses who continue to say there was no anti-Semitic talk, it was one punch to the jaw, and other students immediately put frozen vegetables on his face to help with the swelling, put Tennen in a cab, and sent him to the hospital. Tennen says “not true,” no one helped him, and when he regained consciousness he had to hail his own taxi. So, knowing these confusing sort-of-facts, what are the questions we have to ask? First of all, who are these witnesses? College dorm, late Saturday night/ Sunday morning, at a party; is it impolite to wonder whether they were sober enough to give a truthful account of what happened? For that matter, was Tennen sober? And if, like the witnesses claim, this wasn’t a hate crime, what really was the reason Tennen received that beating? And for that matter, was it a “beating,” or was it one well-aimed punch? Why would the two witnesses be more believable than the victim? What are the police not telling us? Why would they insinuate there was no anti-Semitism unless they have something to back that up? Of course, all these questions, at the end of the day, just dance around the one we hardly dare to ask: is Zachary Tennen lying about the anti-Semitic angle? The thing is: what if he isn’t? Seeing a hate crime when there isn’t one because someone cries wolf is one thing. But a slow, tentative reaction when there is even the

slightest possibility that an attack was motivated by hate creates a dangerous, dangerous situation. And it doesn’t change the fact that hate crimes happen and continue to be underreported nationwide. The notion that we’ll take action as soon as we know for sure the victim is truthful is not the message we want to send. Editor’s note: the Jewish Press is looking for more reader input. Is there something on your mind? Have you been thinking about writing us, but haven’t gotten around to it? Just go ahead and do it; we want to hear what you have to say. Keep it nice, keep it clean (or you’ll be edited) and keep it under 300 words; don’t worry about typos or bad grammar, because that’s what we are here for. Email us at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org, and remember: we don’t follow that rule about avoiding the topics of religion and politics.

secure possessions, such as dangerous dogs, that pose safety hazards. There are prohibitions on selling weapons to idol worshippers and criminals, lest the weapons be turned against Jews. At the same time, there are complicating pronouncements about moral freedom and pikuah nefesh, saving a life. In one talmudic commentary on Deuteronomy, the prohibition on a woman’s wearing men’s clothing includes a ban on her wearing weapons, the quintessential male accoutrement. For men, it follows, wearing weapons is natural. But none of these sources figures in American Jews’ discussions of guns; instead, there is near blanket opposition. Why? At the center of the gun issue is power: To whom does the positive and negative power of weapons rightfully belong? Max Weber defined the state as an entity with a monopoly on violence; and the American Jewish attitude towards guns, following Weber, cedes all responsibility for the protection of individuals -- of Jews -- to government. American Jews, uniquely, cede this power unilaterally, even though it is available to them. The issue is not simply Left versus Right. The Reform movement explicitly wishes to restrict or prohibit individual gun ownership, while Orthodox silence on the issue tacitly accepts the social norms under which Jews do not own guns. The denominational positions effectively converge. Guns are not for Jews. One pathological consequence of Jewish powerlessness has been the tendency to embrace weakness, rationalizing the suffering it produces as noble. Another is guilt regarding whatever power one does possess. For American Jews, who are not shy about wielding their social and economic power, the choice to remain unarmed is perverse -- but logical. Jews also follow the prejudices of their social class. For instance, educated upper middle-class suburbanites, largely

untouched by gun violence, are opposed to guns. That class also looks to expiate a sense of privilege by restricting the rights of others. There is also a passive-aggressive element in the American Jewish attitude: It cedes a monopoly on violence to government not just in exchange for government’s protection but as a way of establishing an entitlement to such protection. Although government obliges, criminals and terrorists have not agreed to the bargain, hence the occasional human sacrifice. But the American social contract, as its founding documents attest, uniquely specifies that government does not enjoy a monopoly on violence. Moreover, the power of governments to threaten liberties is fact, not fantasy; Jews have been victims of state violence as much or more than nonstate violence. The question of whether to place total trust in the state for protection does not have a self-evident answer. Then there is the problem of guns and Zion. How many American Jews are taken aback at seeing young Israeli men and women bearing assault rifles? How much alienation from Israel comes from the American Jewish desire that violence be impersonal and distant, rather than, as in Israel, intensely personal? Guns are an imperfect last defense against adversaries -governments, terrorists, home invaders. In rejecting guns, Jews elect to put their full faith in government -- also imperfect, as well as haphazard, biased, even vindictive. Placing faith in government rather than in legal rights places faith not in laws but in human discretion. Such a choice is necessarily foolish. And faith in powerlessness is still worse, demeaning and potentially suicidal. Alex Joffe is a contributing writer at Jewish Ideas Daily. This article was first published by Jewish Ideas Daily (www.jewishideasdaily.com) and is reprinted with permission.

ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. 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.

and space restrictions, but it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. 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 per-

Jews and guns

Behind the headlines ALEX JOFFE (Jewish Ideas Daily) -- Two mass shootings in the past month -- in Aurora, Colorado, and Oak Creek, Wisconsin -have focused American attention once again on the issue of guns. Are guns a Jewish issue? Jewish organizations have expressed their opinions by their statements and their silence. The Reform movement’s Religious Action Center has decried the recent shootings, calling for “common-sense gun control laws.” A blog post clarifies: “The most effective way to prevent gun deaths is to reduce the number of guns.” An earlier editorial by a RAC associate director feared the prospect of an armed and balkanized American society and derided the argument that “only when Jews have guns have they been able to preserve Jewish honor and dignity.” The Conservative Rabbinical Assembly’s president condemned the shootings, but also noted “the fragility of the fundamental social contract binds us to each other in a civil society.” Assault on that contract, he observed, “erodes our sense of security,” and “threatens to make us that much less trusting, and less compassionate.” Unhelpfully abstract, this begs the question of whether it is the guns or shooters that pose the real problem. The Orthodox Union condemned the shootings at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin as an assault on religious freedom -- but did not mention guns. While Orthodox rabbis, like rabbis of other denominations, have sermonized on guns and violence, taking various positions, Orthodoxy’s Rabbinical Council of America issued no public statement on the recent events. Jewish exegesis related to guns is necessarily indirect. Biblical and talmudic texts generally require people to

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September 7, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 9

Israel must punish rabbis who preach hatred

Behind the headlines ANAT HOFFMAN JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin apologized to Jamal Julany, one of the victims of a racist attack in Zion Square, during his visit to the 17-year-old. “We are sorry,” said Rivlin, a Likud Party leader. He went on to say, “It is hard to see you hospitalized because of an inconceivable act,” and: “What happened is the responsibility of every leader and member of Knesset.” The Jewish month of Elul calls us to evaluate our actions and mend our ways to avoid the same mistakes next year. An honest evaluation will reveal that this unprovoked attack on three Arab youths by dozens of Israeli teenagers is part of a phenomenon much broader than the character of these youths. It is the result of the chronology of prolonged Israeli government tolerance toward Jewish religious extremism and its manifestations, and of the government’s tacit acceptance of racist incitement toward Israel’s Arab minority by certain members of Knesset and a number of extreme Orthodox rabbis. Every religion has its extremists; Judaism is no different. Notably in this raging culture war, the chief rabbi of Safed, Shmuel Eliyahu, has repeatedly called Israel’s 1.2 million Arab citizens “the enemy” and urged Jews not to rent or sell apartments to Arabs. He also claims that all Arabs have a violent nature. In his manifesto published in March 2008, he

wrote, “The time has come to tell the truth. Providing a livelihood for our enemies leads to grave consequences.” Shmuel Eliyahu is not alone. There are approximately 50 state-employed Israeli rabbis who, like Eliyahu, engage openly in racist rhetoric toward non-Jews with impunity. While Israeli law clearly states that racist incitement is a criminal offense, there have been no disciplinary measures or a serious police investigation. When leading public figures dehumanize others, the descent from hateful speech to violent acts is often swift and severe. These rabbis did not physically attack the three Arab teens still recovering in the hospital, but their words and teachings were a major catalyst and a spiritual motivation for their impressionable young followers to take the next step and actually commit a violent act. There is a direct connection between the immunity given to rabbis and the ease with which a group of teenagers beat up a 17-year-old Arab boy to “teach him a lesson” about eyeing Jewish girls in Zion Square. If the government of Israel is truly appalled by the attack in Zion Square, here is a suggestion: As the state has the power to fire civil servants who are racists, why not use this power immediately? The Israel Religious Action Center is monitoring racist statements by rabbis and pursuing legal and public action against them. Our recent report, “Love the Stranger as Yourself? Racism in the Name of Halacha,” details this disturbing trend. Racist incitement recently has taken on a new focus:

Jewish women and their purity. In Zion Square, flyers are being distributed in Arabic that read: “Our girls are dear to us, just like you don’t want a Jew to date your sister, we also are not willing to accept an Arab dating one of our women. Just like you would do anything to stop a Jew from dating your sister, so would we! Last week, an Arab who thought he could come here and find a Jewish girlfriend was hurt. We don’t want you to get hurt. Respect the honor of our girls because they are dear to us!” Misogyny and racism meet again, this time disguised as Judaism. The Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism is working to answer the questions that these recent events pose: What is our Jewish obligation to the non-Jewish minority in Israel? How do we respond to the objectification of women in service of racism? Jews in Israel and in the Diaspora must offer answers to these burning questions. Jews everywhere have the responsibility to respond to racist statements by Jewish extremists. It is our duty as Jews to remind others and ourselves that the Torah commands us to love the stranger 36 times more than any other commandment. Jamal Julany remembers nothing of the attack. He is struggling in his hospital bed to gain back the use of his limbs, his eyes and his ears. We must remind ourselves, and the State of Israel, of every blow he received and demand that the state stop turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to racism in its own ranks. Anat Hoffman is executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center.

At the New Year, let’s give animals a new Jewish chance

Focus on issues PAULINE DUBKIN YEARWOOD CHICAGO (Chicago Jewish News) -- Shortly after I became a vegan, around 20 years ago, I ordered my first “vegan option” at a Jewish organizational dinner. It arrived: a plateful of raw celery and carrot sticks arranged around a cup of something ranch dressing-ish that probably wasn’t even vegan. Since then, things have changed considerably. Teenage servers at fast food places know what vegan means even if they have to deliver the news that there is nothing there that fits the description. And at most Jewish organizational dinners today, the vegan option is so delicious that others at my table invariably cry, “Oh, I wish I had ordered that!” when they see it. Enter the Jewish new year for animals -- an initiative to transform an ancient and largely forgotten holiday, Rosh Hashanah l’Ma’aser Bemeima, or New Year’s Day for Tithing Animals, into Rosh Hashanah l’ Beheimot, a New Year for Animals devoted to considering how Jews can improve their relationships with animals. Animals raised for food, whether on factory farms or “free range,” live and die in horrible conditions, treated not as living beings but as the commodities they are. Dairy cows are crammed into tiny stalls and kept impregnated so they will produce milk perpetually. Their calves are taken from them shortly after birth and raised as veal in crates too small for them to turn around in. Chickens are kept in cages so small they can’t even raise a wing, and they are de-beaked without anesthesia so they don’t peck each other to death. The so-called new Jewish food movement, laudable though it may be, is more concerned with issues of locally

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A number of other groups are supporting the initiative, and several prominent Jewish leaders have endorsed the idea of the new holiday. Modern Orthodox scholar and author Rabbi Yitz Greenberg says in a statement that “it is a beautiful idea to renew/revive a classic day... Your contemporary application... in the form of addressing humanity’s relationship to animal life and the widespread mistreatment of food animals and environmental abuse in today’s economy, marked by industrial farming and animal husbandry, is inspired.” Rabbi David Wolpe of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles succinctly summarizes the idea of the holiday, writing in a statement, “The Jewish tradition mandates that we are stewards of all God’s creation. In our day we are increasingly sensitized to suffering of those living creatures in our care; this initiative helps us recognize our obligation to animals and so helps us be more fully human.” Schwartz and others realize that restoring and reclaiming an ancient holiday can’t be done all at once. Plans include setting up a website and Facebook page that would feature a collection of material on Jewish teachings about animals and creating a haggadah for a seder, modeled on the now-widespread Tu b’Shvat seder. For now, I’m hoping that awareness of these efforts leads to greater attentiveness to issues related to animals, issues that many of us would like to push out of our consciousness, along with other “inconvenient truths,” as we buy our neatly wrapped and packaged meat. To start things off in a modest way? Read more about the initiative and find links to related sites at www.Jewish Veg.com. And think about having a veggie burger for lunch or dinner. Pauline Dubkin Yearwood is managing editor of the Chicago Jewish News. Note: this article was edited for length.

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grown produce, sustainable agriculture, healthy eating and social justice for workers than with the treatment of animals. And yet animal cruelty is very much against Jewish teaching. As Richard Schwartz, the president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America and a tireless crusader for animal rights and a plant-based diet, points out, “tsa’ar ba’alei chaim,” causing harm or sorrow to animals, is a Torah prohibition. That’s evident in many ways, from the mandate that farmers not muzzle an animal while it is threshing in the field (so it can eat some of the grain) to the admiring way the Torah treats the compassionate actions of Moses and King David toward their sheep. Yet today, as Schwartz writes on the Jewish Vegetarians website, “with regard to animals, the primary focus of Jewish religious services, Torah readings and education are on the biblical sacrifices, animals that are kosher for eating, and laws about animal slaughter, with relatively little time devoted to Judaism’s more compassionate teachings related to animals.” That’s why Schwartz and a coalition of Jewish groups have proposed the initiative to turn Rosh Hashanah l’Ma’aser Beheima into a New Year for Animals. The holiday occurs on the first day of the month of Elul (this year, beginning Saturday evening) and initially was devoted to counting domestic animals intended to be used for sacrificial offerings. Elul is considered a month of introspection as Jews examine their words and actions in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The initiative’s first event is a seder set for Sunday evening at Caravan of Dreams, a vegetarian restaurant in New York City. Other vegetarian seders are taking place at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Conn., and at a resort in Ontario, Canada.

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10 | The Jewish Press | September 7, 2012

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, please call 712.323.8885.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat and Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat, 6 p.m. Tot Shabbat is led by Shira Abraham and is for children from birth through kindergarten, along with their parents, grandparents and other special adults. Oh Say Shalom to Shabbat is led by clergy members, Eadie Tsabari, and teenagers from the congregation and is geared to children ages 6-10 and their families. Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. Cost: Beth El members, $5; nonmembers, $7.50. No charge for children six and younger. RSVP online at www.bethel-omaha.org, or contact the office at 402.492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (2-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush given by Beth El; Evening Services, 7:35 p.m.; Gala Dessert Reception, 9:30 p.m. followed by Havdalah and the formal installation of Hazzan Michael Krausman; Selihot service, 10:30 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study Group, and The Highly Controversial Laws of the Torah, with Andy Greenberg, 10 a.m. MONDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Back 2 Basics, 7 p.m. A new adult-ed class, led by Rabbi Abraham, who will teach basic tenets of Judaism. First session will focus will be on the basics of the High Holidays. Snacks and adult refreshments will be served. To RSVP, visit www.bethel-omaha.org; or contact Margie in the office, or programming@bethel-omaha.org. Join Men’s Club for Sukkah Building on Sundays, Sept. 23 and Sept. 30, at 8 a.m., as members construct the synagogue’s sukkah. Everyone welcome; bagels and beverages will be served. For more information, contact Mark Kelln, at markkelln@yahoo.com. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting service begins at 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah

Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 5:15 p.m.; Advanced Parshah Study for Kids (ages 10 and up), 6:15 p.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Twitter Topic class, 6:15 p.m.; Mincha, 7:15 p.m., followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 8:27 p.m.; Selichot, 12 a.m. SUNDAY: Gemara class, 8 a.m., learning tractate Kiddushin; Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross; Weekly Med Center Class, 1 p.m.

CHABAD CENTER An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Minyan, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows the service sponsored in honor of Levi Katzman’s visit to Omaha by the Katzman family; Selichot Service, 12 a.m. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. followed by Breakfast Bonanza; One week left to the old year -- what can we do to go out with a bang?, led by Rabbi Katzman. WEEKDAYS: Minyan, 7 a.m. MONDAY & TUESDAY: Selichot and Minyan, 6:45 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Selichot and Minyan, 6:45 a.m.; Torah Studies: A weekly journey in the soul of Torah, noon. RSVP to 402.417.2009; A Taste of Yeshiva-Chevruta style Beit Midrash study, 6:30 p.m. Unity Torah Celebration, Thursday, Sept. 20, 4:30 p.m. at the JCC. Order your t-shirt and enter the art contest. All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Family Dinner, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m. with dessert oneg following hosted by Eleanor Kirkland at 7:15 p.m.; Classical Reform Shabbat Service, 7:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Ki Tavo; Dessert and Selichot service, 8:30 p.m. with the High Holidays Choir and special guest choir from St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite (grades 8&9), 9:45 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High (grades 10-12), 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Board of Trustees, 1 p.m. TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group meets at 11 a.m. at South Street Temple to travel to the Black Crow, 405 Court St. Please contact Stephanie Dohner or Marcia Kushner if you

Get ready for the High Holidays with Beth Israel by RABBI JONATHAN GROSS for Beth Israel Synagogue On Shabbat Sept. 8 we will be kicking off the high holiday season at Beth Israel with words of inspiration from motivational speaker Andy Greenberg. “The days of awe and the month of Elul are like road construction.” Says Greenberg. “Most of the time we don’t like it, it slows us down and we don’t understand why it’s being done in the first place. Yet when it is done and the road has changed for the better we forget about the process and enjoy it.” Andy has 35 years of experience with national companies as a sales and marketing expert. His main strength is motivating associates and friends to visualize and attain success. After being active in speaking and training for over 11 years, in July 2009 he started “Speaking of Andy Greenberg” a life and business building based company. Through presentations, seminars, consulting and coaching he teaches individuals and businesses how to stay motivated and excel in sales, marketing, leadership, networking and customer service. In October of 2009 Getting UP with Andy Greenberg became a regular feature on Omaha’s most listened to daily radio show The Good Morning Show with Gary Sadlemyer on 1110 KFAB. The segment provides daily innovative and

motivational insights. Over 600 vignettes have been created to date! Andy was a contributor on the Sunday KPTM Fox 42 news with his personalized weekly vignettes. Today he appears regularly on 100’s of radio stations and is heard by millions of people in the US in a show called Your Daily High with Andy Greenberg. He is one of the most listened to speakers in America as a result of his national radio spot. “Getting up in the morning to Andy’s inspirational words is a great way to start the day.” Said Miriam Gross, a regular KFAB listener. “The Rambam compares the shofar on Rosh Hashana to an alarm clock that is supposed to wake us up for the new year. It is really fitting to have Andy kick off our high holiday season and “wake us up” to repentance.” On Sept. 8 services at Beth Israel will begin at 9 a.m. and Andy will be delivering his inspirational talk at 10:45. Kiddush will follow services. Later that evening we will officially kick off the high holiday season with selichot at midnight. “The shofar during the month of Elul is like a yet to be created Olympic event” said Andy. “When the shofar blows two choices lay before us. We can jump in the water and see who does the best job of treading water without actually going anywhere. Or we can decide to move forward and each time swim to a further distance and then be happy that we got there!”

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plan to attend; The Divorce Girl, fiction reading with Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate, 7 p.m. at Tifereth Israel followed by a book signing and refreshments. THURSDAY: Choir Rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz; Selichot Service, 3:30 p.m. led by Marti Nerenstone. SUNDAY: Grandparents Day, 1-3:30 p.m. with car show, photo booth, bounce house, gift shop sale and ice cream sundaes. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel; Congregational Dinner, 7 p.m. Please contact the temple office, 402.556.6536, to make a reservation. No cost for the dinner. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Selichot Service: God in a box, 7 p.m. Rabbi Brown will be formally welcomed during the service. Clips from the movie God in the Box will be shown. A chocolate oneg will follow the service; High School Selichot Concert, midnight. SUNDAY: Blood Drive, 9 a.m.; Teachers Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades Prek-6, 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; Social Justice Meeting, 11 a.m.; Shofar Training, noon; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, 12:15 p.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal and quartet, 1 p.m. TUESDAY: Kol Rina Rehearsal and quartet, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Grades 7&8, 6-8 p.m.; Temple Teen Night, 6 p.m.; Take action to ensure your legacy, 6:30 p.m. with Judy Rosenfeld. THURSDAY: Adult Study with the Clergy: Elul with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: New Member Shabbat on the Green, 5:45 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and Kabbalat Services will begin at 7 p.m. Please bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Adults are $8 and kids are $4. SATURDAY: Study Session on Eicha, 9:30 a.m.; Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch sponsored by Marcia Kushner in memory of her husband Sheldon; Havdalah and Selichot, 8:45 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite (grades 8&9), 9:45 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High (grades 10-12), 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel. TUESDAY: The Divorce Girl, fiction reading with Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate, 7 p.m. at Tifereth Israel followed by a book signing and refreshments. WEDNESDAY: Parent Information Meeting on the Newly Forming Confirmation Class of 2013 (for grades 11-12 parents), 7:15 p.m. with Nancy Coren and Rabbi Craig Lewis.

MEMORIAL SERVICES Sunday, September 9 Mount Carmel Cemetery in Lincoln, 10:30 a.m. Golden Hill Cemetery, 5025 N. 42nd St., 11 am Beth Israel/Mt. Sinai, 78th & Crown Point, noon BHH/Fisher Farms, 8900 S. 42nd Street, 1 p.m. Sunday, September 23 Oak Hills/Bikhor Cholim, Council Bluffs, 10 a.m. Beth El Cemetery, 84th and ‘L’ Sts., 11:45 a.m. Temple Israel Cemetery, 6412 No. 42 St., 1 p.m. Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, 3 p.m.

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September 7, 2012 | The Jewish Press | 11

A word about words

In memoriam HOWARD SILBER

Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Ki Tavo As we hasten toward Rosh Hashanah, so too do we come toward the end of the list of seven glorious Haftarot from Deutero-(or Trito) Isaiah. Our Haftarah stands in the sharpest possible contrast with our Sidrah. The Sidrah often warns of dire calamities if the Lord’s words are not heeded. Our Haftarah, Isaiah 60, is one of the most rhapsodic in this remarkable book. In the first verse, in the old Jewish Publication Society translation, following the King James, reads “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” I have often used that verse, in teaching Bible, to indicate how Biblical poetry uses no rhyme, but gets its beauty from parallelism and from the rhythm of accents in line or stich. Thus the English here repeats the Hebrew exactly, four stresses against four, in the two stichs of the verse. The number of words and the number of syllables are not important: the number of stresses is. And the verse is graceful, in Hebrew and in English. Unfortunately, new translations are always needed. We know a great deal more about the meaning of the Bible than the King James translators did in 1611. But more, the English language has changed, and the use of “thou” and “thee” and the archaic verbs of the 17th century tend to annoy the modern reader, except...Except that the modern reader has to give up the felicitous language and the stately cadences of the King James. The King James was one of the monuments of the English language. If we speak or write well, it is partly because the English language was given form and structure by a number of works, among which the King James translation excelled. A trend begun by the old JPS in 1917, to give a close-toliteral meaning in contemporary language and use, has been bought at a cost, the loss of much of the grace and literary beauty of older translations. I like to use them both. Editor’s note: The above is an excerpt from Rabbi Kripke’s book, Insight and Interpretation.

Beth El promises a “New Beginning” during upcoming Shabbaton by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s Kadima Shabbaton for 5th–8th graders has been so popular each spring that the synagogue will offer a special Fall Shabbaton from Friday, Sept. 14 to Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Gretna 4-H Camp. All kids from the Omaha,

Last spring, Kadima Shabbaton participants enjoyed a special weekend of fun, spirituality and camaraderie. The next Shabbaton is planned for Sept. 14-16. Lincoln and Sioux City Jewish communities are invited to join together for a weekend of fun, friendship and exciting programs during the retreat, titled “A New Beginning” – and according to Eadie Tsabari, the synagogue’s Director of Congregational Learning, there is no better way to welcome the new year. “We just couldn’t wait until the end of the school year to hold another Shabbaton!” Tsabari said. “We had such a wonderful time last year that we thought this would be a great ‘New Beginning’ to our school year. We encourage all Jewish children in grade 5th-8th to join us.” Drop-off will be at Beth El on Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.; pickup will be on Sept. 16, at 11:45 a.m. Cost to attend is $35. For more information or to register, visit www.bethelomaha.org, or contact Youth Advisor Steven Meyer, 402.492.8550, ext. 153, or youthdir@bethel-omaha.org; or Eadie Tsabari, 402.492.8550, ext. 132, or etsabari@bethelomaha.org.

Howard Silber passed away on Aug. 23 at age 91. Services were held Aug. 27 at Temple Israel followed by a reception. Private Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs. He is survived by his wife Sissy Katelman Silber; daughters and sons-in-law, Irene Silber and Steve Ruce of Minneapolis, MN, and Lorraine and Jim May of Fort Myers, FL; and grandchildren Andrew and Matthew May. Howard was born in New York City on Dec. 5, 1920, and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree that combined Journalism, Broadcasting and English. Howard served his country in World War II and received the Purple Heart for his injuries while fighting in France. He joined the Omaha World-Herald in 1955, and was named Military Affairs Editor in 1966. In 1957, he was the first journalist to fly in a B-52 bomber. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

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Walk for a cause: VODEC by PAM MONSKY The 5th Annual Walk for VODEC (Vocational Development Center) is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8 at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village. The Walk follows the scenic Keystone Trail and begins at 9 a.m. for registration and breakfast. The walk starts at 10 a.m. Proceeds will benefit programs and services for more than 550 people in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area. Music from the Geezer Band, breakfast and lunch from Godfather’s Pizza is free to all who attend. Everyone who donates a minimum of $50 gets a t-shirt; prizes will be given to those raising the most money. For more information, please visit our walk website, www.vodecwalk.org or call 712.328.2638.

Pluck a sweet new year at apple orchard by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer One of the most popular food customs on Rosh Hashanah involves dipping apple slices into honey. This sweet combination stems from an age-old Jewish tradition of eating sweet foods to express our hopes for a sweet new year. And with Rosh Hashanah nearly upon us once again, Temple Israel invites the Omaha Jewish community to help us begin a new High Holiday tradition and join us for our first ever apple picking pilgrimage. On Monday, Sept. 17, Rabbi Josh Brown, his wife Carrie and their daughter Hannah, will be meeting other members of the congregation at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave., in Nebraska City, for an afternoon of orchard-fresh apple picking and a hike through scenic nature trails. “In our blessings over food we mention the place from which the food originated as a sign of our connection to a greater power,” Rabbi Brown said. “In the blessing over wine we mention the vine. In the blessing of bread we mention the earth. And in the blessing of apples we mention the fruit of the tree. How fitting that we not only recite the blessings with our children, but also show where our food comes from.” Arbor Day Farm is home to a 50-foot high tree house that will be available to climb for the more adventurous among us. The tree house offers a true bird’s-eye view of life in the forest and allows you to relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of nature. “When I saw that they were doing apple picking as a congregation after Rosh Hashanah services, I thought it was an awesome idea,” said Ann Osborne, mother of Lindsay, 13, and Robert, 11. “I’m really excited to go.” Ann and her husband Don are looking forward to spending the day with other people from Temple Israel and all their kids together. Arbor Day Farm also features The Discovery Ride, a onehour journey through the more than 250 acres of forest and farmland, during which a guide will share interesting nature facts and historical tidbits. Arbor Day Farm provides a rich educational experience, with “nature challenges” to solve and arts and crafts to create. It’s sure to be a fun experience for any family. Apple picking will be held regardless of the weather, rain or shine. Admission is $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. The Discovery Ride is an extra $4 for adults and $3 for children. To RSVP, email Temple Israel at RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com or call 402.556.6536.

CORRECTIONS In the Aug. 31 article about the Mainstreeters Fall line-up Rosalie Greenspan was incorrectly identified as Rose Pitlor. The Press regrets the error.

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12 | The Jewish Press | September 7, 2012

In the New Orleans area, a synagogue dedication, community rejuvenation and Orthodox-Reform bonds by CHARLOTTE ANTHONY 13,000 people the year before the storm, according to the and new ideas,” he says. “We weren’t going to make it much (JTA) -- Seven years ago an iconic picture for many Jews 2004 American Jewish Yearbook. longer because we lost most of our young families and kids, of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina was of men National Jewish groups helped sustain the community and we were able to bring that back.” waist deep in a flooded synagogue carrying Torahs to safety. after the hurricane. The United Jewish Communities, now When the canals broke, they left Beth Israel’s former On August 26, in a celebration of physical and spiritual the Jewish Federations of North America, coordinated a building in 10 feet of water. Seven of its Torah scrolls, thouunity, the Torahs of that congregation were carried into their national campaign that raised $28 million for Katrina relief sands of prayer books and other items were destroyed. new home next to the Reform congregation that offered in the Jewish and general communities of Baton Rouge, “When we came back, we started to clean out and salvage space to the Modern Orthodox synathe things we could and very soon we gogue and now shares with it a new playstopped crying and started working ground. hard,” says Jackie Gothard, 78, a fifth“Our congregation is a remarkable generation member and one of the constory in the way the Jewish community gregation’s past presidents. “We got over leaned on itself and supported one the initial hurt and realized that we lost another,” says Rabbi Uri Topolosky of the our synagogue, but it was only a building. Modern Orthodox Congregation Beth It wasn’t our people. Israel. “This is a story that I think resImmediately after Katrina, the Reform onates with so many of us in town and it temple Gates of Prayer offered Beth Israel symbolizes great things for all of us who a temporary home. have been rebuilding since Katrina.” “It was important to us when the storm Seven years after the hurricane hit the hit that Congregation Beth Israel not go region on Aug. 29, 2005, and the subseout of existence because it’s important for quent failure of levees devastated much a community like us to have all the major of Greater New Orleans, Beth Israel expressions of Jewish life in order to be a opened in a new home in Metairie, a subJewish community,” explains Gates of urb five miles from its former home in Prayer’s Rabbi Robert Lowey. New Orleans. The Aug. 26 dedication For nearly seven years, Beth Israel held ceremonies symbolized the rejuvenation weekly services in the Gates of Prayer Rabbi Uri Topolosky of Congregation Beth Israel claps along with the playing of a New Orleans brass chapel and leased office space in the of the area’s Jewish community. Some 2,000 young adults have moved band as five donated Torah scrolls are carried from the congregation’s former home in Reform tem- building. When it came time to rebuild, Credit: Alan Smason Beth Israel decided to buy land next to to the region in recent years. Holly ple Congregation Gates of Prayer to their new facility next door in Metairie. Pollack, 28, is among them. In 2008, the native of nearby Biloxi and New Orleans. Likewise, many Jewish groups sent the Reform synagogue. Baton Rouge returned to the area with her husband because volunteers to the area to help clean up and rebuild homes. “We built a playground at the center of the two buildings she thought that she had a responsibility to help rebuild. Also, the Rabbinical Council of America, Yeshiva University that will be shared by the two congregations,” says Pollack is excited to be part of the reopening of Beth Israel, and the Orthodox Union launched a joint online fundrais- Topolosky, who arrived in 2007. “It’s a statement that we the only synagogue that was completely destroyed during ing campaign for Beth Israel that raised more than $400,000. have different practices and beliefs but at the end of the day, the hurricane. The Jewish Newcomers Program, Weil says, offers social, we remind ourselves that we are one Jewish family.” “People didn’t think it could be done, and in many ways it professional, financial and membership incentives, includThe dedication ceremony for Beth Israel started at Gates happened one person at a time,” she says. “It wasn’t rebuilt ing free one-year memberships to the Jewish community of Prayer, then had a procession to the new building with because the government decided it should be rebuilt; it was center, any area synagogue, the National Council of Jewish five Torahs donated by families throughout the country. rebuilt because people refused to give up on their city and I Women and Hadassah. Adorning the outside of the new Aron Hakodesh is the felt that we needed to be a part of that.” “It has created an aura in the Jewish community that this biblical quote: “Mighty Waters Cannot Extinguish Our Pollack and the other young Jewish professionals return- is the place that young people move to and that the commu- Love.” Another quote, “Build for Me a Sanctuary and I will ing to or new to the area were aided by the Jewish nity is both vibrantly exciting and welcoming,” Weil says. dwell amongst you,” with letters taken from the front of the Newcomers Program, an initiative of the Jewish Federation “We’ve already seen the newcomers take a prominent pres- old synagogue, will eventually adorn the front entrance of of Greater New Orleans designed to lure newcomers. ence at synagogues, sending their kids to day schools and the new synagogue. “We’ve lost a lot of the older folks, but we’ve gained rising to leadership positions in the community.” And while grateful for the hospitality of Gates of Prayer, younger people dedicated to tikkun olam and social justice,” At Beth Israel, it’s made a difference. Its gabbai, Irwin Beth Israel congregant Hilton Title is excited to be able to says Michael Weil, the federation’s executive director. “It has Lachoff, says that prior to Katrina, the congregation strug- worship in his own congregation’s building. become a young and vibrant community with a lot of Jewish gled to get the required 10 men for a Shabbat morning serv“It’s a homecoming,” he says. “We’ve been on an odyssey experimentation.” The New Orleans area currently has ice. Today the service draws 40 to 50 worshipers. and now we have our own place, and there’s no place like about 9,500 Jews, Weil says. The community had about “The young people have brought a more youthful look home.”

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