Vol. XC No. 2 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
2 Tishrei 5770
September 10, 2010
Continuing Ben Remembering Sam Cooper Nachman’s legacy by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Dr. Benjamin M. Nachman, retired dentist and dedicated volunteer for the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, passed away on Aug. 28, 2010. Born in 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska, Ben Nachman served as a Staff Sergeant in Korea between 1951-53, was a graduate of the Creighton School of Dentistry, and, since his retirement, had been deeply involved collecting other people’s stories. For more than 20 years he spent his days doing research into Omaha’s collective Jewish past. “This all started in the early ‘90’s,” according to Renee Ben Nachman Ratner-Corcoran, Executive Director of the NJHS. “Mary Fellman approached Ben about getting involved with the Oral History Project. Shortly thereafter, the Shirley and Buddy Goldstein Foundation gave us the tools to expand the program; today, we have between 350-400 interviews on file. The amount of work Ben did for our organization is incredible.” “The NJHS lost a piece of the organization’s heart with Ben’s passing,” said Joanie Bernstein, an NJHS past-President. Renee agreed: “Ben’s passion was enormous; after his family, which always came first, the work he did for the Historical Society was everything to him. His goal for the NJHS was to have the largest collection of oral histories in the country. He strongly believed that these stories needed to be told before they were buried. He left us with many previously untold stories that needed to be shared”. In the early ‘90’s he was asked by the Steven Spielberg Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation to conduct filmed interviews in a five-state area, in addition to his work at the NJHS. Ben’s dedication to remembering the Holocaust made him travel the world to interview survivors. “The stories he preserved came straight from the minds and hearts of those he contacted”, said Bernstein, “and their lives became a part of him. He read every book he could find on the subject. A few years ago, he donated his entire collection to a library in Tennessee.” Nachman has also worked diligently on the NJHS’s ‘Grocery project’. “It was Ben’s idea,” Renee said, “to create a way to preserve the history of mom & pop grocery stores, as part of the history of the Omaha Jewish community. The book should be finished by Spring 2011.” He will be missed. “I can’t believe he is gone,” Renee said. “I started working here at the Historical Society in 2001, and I spoke with him every day. He was one of a kind, easy to be around, smart, kind, and he was my friend.” Of course, Ben Nachman’s legacy does not end here; the work is simply too important. “Ben never intended for these projects to begin and end with him,” Renee said. “The work he did was much too valuable, and will continue. I feel it is very important the community knows that.” The reason Ben Nachman’s work will continue, according to Bob Belgrade, another NJHS pastPresident, is that it carries such long term meaning. “He visited hundreds of families over the years. As time goes by, we hope to digitize the files. I don’t think Continued on page 15
Inside Op-Ed Page: see page 12
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Creighton University; he earned his law degree in two Editor of the Jewish Press years by using the accelerated program. Samuel V. Cooper was born in Chelm, Poland, in Initially, Cooper practiced law with Joe Friedenberg, 1922, and passed away on September 5 in Omaha, followed by Loyal Kaplan, and Jack Marer. Eventually, Nebraska. In 1929, his father he formed a law firm with Norm Martin, who had left for America Denenberg and Ed Mullery. a few years before, was able to Cooper served on two Omaha bring his wife and children over, City Charter Committees from and Sam started his new life in the mid 1950’s through the Omaha. Growing up, Sam 1960’s. Next, he was appointed worked in his father’s grocery by Nebraska Governor Ralph business. In a 2008 interview Gilmour Brooks as Douglas with Leo Biga for this paper, Sam County Election Commissioner. Cooper said his parents would He also worked on Adlai not have been disappointed if Stevenson’s campaign, and was he’d followed in his father’s footinterested in the election process, steps. Life, as it turned out, had because it showed the bigger things in store for him. “Democratic process in action”. Although Cooper needed help Cooper also was the Douglas with English language skills at his County Democratic Party grade school, by the time he Delegate at the 1968 Party attended Central High, he was Convention. active in speech and debate. In In 1972, Cooper was elected a Samuel V. Cooper 1940, his coach encouraged him Douglas County Judge. He to take part in a national essay contest. His essay “The stayed in that role until his retirement in 2005. After Benefits of Democracy” won local, regional, and retiring from the bench, he volunteered his time with national honors, as well as a check for $1000. Looking the Douglas County Prosecutor’s office. beyond the grocery business, he used the money to Cooper was a member of B’nai B’rith for almost 50 attend Omaha University. years. Sam is survived by wife, Judith; children, Hollie In 1943, Cooper saw his studies interrupted by WW and Abe Zeiderman, Denver, CO; Ronna and Mark II; he was drafted into the Quartermaster Corps and Emanuel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Marsha and served in England and Belgium. When he returned Steve Simon, and Justin and Joan Cooper, all of after the war, he used the GI Bill of Rights to attend Continued on page 15
Saying Lehitraot to a fabulous Shlicha by OZZIE NOGG talents. She was the glue that kept it all together and Har-Halutz-born Elya Wilson, who served this past moving forward.” year as Omaha’s Community Shlicha (our educational During her year in Omaha, Wilson enjoyed ‘hangtime’ Israeli emissary), has returned to Israel to begin Law herself. “Elya and I shared many meals and many meanSchool classes at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. A ingful conversations,” said Anne Muskin, BBYO/Teen recent luncheon in Wilson’s honor gave the community Director at the JCC. “I really enjoyed having her here, an opportunity to thank learning and growing Elya and say lehitraot -with her both in work we hope to see you and outside of work, again, soon. exploring programming, As Community joining forces with her Shlicha, Elya worked and laughing with her.” directly with children, One of Muskin’s favorite teens, students and ‘Elya memories’ involved adults in Omaha’s differa wintertime trip to ent synagogues, religious Walmart. “Elya had schools and youth come with me and as I groups. The programs was driving into the she facilitated helped parking lot she yelled, bring Israel to Omaha ‘Stop the car! Stop the and, in the process, won car!’ Elya had spotted a her many fans -- most huge snow drift and recently for her contribuwanted to photograph it tions to the 2010 for her friends in Israel. Elya Wilson Maccabi Games. UNL All the way back to the journalism student, Emily Giller, who spent this past JCC she marveled at the snow bank, what her friends summer as a Jewish Press intern, said, “I wrote several would think, and how lucky she was to have seen it. Elya articles for the Games and Elya was always there to give is the kind of person who elevates the seemingly unimme interviews and quotes when I needed them. She is portant and marvels at the little things.” such a sweet person and was a great addition to the Before coming to Omaha, Wilson served four years as Omaha JCC. She will be missed greatly. Elya told me an intelligence officer with the Israel Defense Forces, that if I visit Israel I have to tell her so we can meet up and then traveled to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and hang out. That sounds like a plan to me.” Vietnam and China. Elya plans to spend a month with Kim Goldberg, local artist and co-chair of the JCC family and friends in Har-Halutz in the Galilee -- the Maccabi Games Israel/Judaic Hangtime Committee, community where she grew up -- before starting her described Wilson as “our key team member for Maccabi studies. When asked to name a few of the memorable Hangtime. She kept us organized, informed and excited programs she spearheaded during her year in Omaha, about the Games. We couldn’t have executed the Wilson mentioned the BBYO Kallah weekend program, Hangtime plan without her thoughtful and committed Continued on page 2
Tri-teen summer experience, Page 8 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’
Debbi Josephson honored by Women of Reform Judaism Page 2
Coming This Month: Arts & Entertainment Recession forces the middle-class to turn to Jewish food banks Page 9
Remembering September 11 Page 16
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Debbi Josephson honored by Women of Reform Judaism by CLAUDIA SHERMAN some 6,000 members. “One highlight from that time Temple Israel Communications Coordinator was that we initiated conference-call board meetings,” Debbi Josephson will be the first member of Women Josephson explained. “District 20 was very spread out of Reform Judaism (WRJ)-Omaha to receive the geographically, and we thought we were being efficient Woman of Valor Award presented by the WRJ Midwest and technologically savvy by conducting business over District at its convention in the phone. I sat on the National October in Minneapolis. Board by virtue of my position as “This is the first time the president (of District 20), and District has presented the Woman then in 1995, I became a board of Valor Award,” said Marcia member-at-large for a four-year Bannon, a member of the term with WRJ (at the national Midwest District Board. Each level).” During that time, she coWRJ Chapter in the district, chaired the President’s Council which includes all or part of eight which conducted training of disstates, can nominate one woman trict presidents and vice presi“whom they could not do withdents. At that time, there were out,” she added. She emphasized 18 to 20 districts across the the nominee should be a “woman country. who always says yes and who volDuring the past 30 years, unteers for many tasks.” Josephson has also been involved In nominating Josephson, Rosie in numerous local community Zweiback, a WRJ vice president, activities including the Jewish stated that Josephson “is the clear Federation of Omaha; Junior choice from the Omaha Chapter League; guilds of the Henry Debbi Josephson is the first Omahan to of WRJ.” The vote to nominate Doorly Zoo, the Omaha Symreceive WRJ Award. her was unanimous. phony, and the Omaha A resident of Omaha since 1975, Josephson was Children’s Theater as well as various public school president of Temple Israel Sisterhood from 1989 to functions. Currently, she serves on the board of the 1991. “One memory I take from those years is the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and as president of lovely board I worked with,” she recalled. “Women the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. ranging in age from their 30s to their 80s sat on the “What an honor this is,” Josephson remarked. “I am board. They were dedicated and showed up every so touched.” She thanked the WRJ-Omaha leadership month ready to do the work. I am so grateful for the for nominating her and described it as “a pleasant surfriendships I developed from those years.” prise” when WRJ-Omaha President Susie Norton She went on to serve as president of what was then called with the news. “I can’t help but remember my the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (now mentors who helped me during my Sisterhood leaderWomen of Reform Judaism) District 20 from 1994 to ship years,” added Josephson. “In my heart, I will share 1996. Districts have been realigned since then. There a piece of this award with them as well.” are 36 chapters in the Midwest District representing
Saying lehitraot Continued from page 1 phy project was a huge success for all the kids who parShiputznick -- the annual teen Mitzvah day -- and the ticipated, and Elya should be very proud of the positive YJO first ever Purim party for Omaha’s young Jewish impact she had on their lives.” adults. “I had a great time planning that event with Bob Before leaving Omaha, Wilson expressed her satisfacGoldberg, Cari Green and Rachel Kanner,” Wilson said. tion at watching Israeli teen athletes, Team Omaha and “We were all totally surprised when other visiting delegations interact about sixty people showed up. The during the JCC Maccabi Games. Purim party was one of my person“The week was definitely a great al highlights of the year.” Wilson way to culminate my year,” she also took great pleasure in her said. “Seeing the preparations work with young children. “I loved come to life, witnessing the teens my weekly classes with the 4-year form connections with their peers olds in the CDC. I came out smiland with the families who hosted ing every single time, and I’m them so generously during the going to miss those kids a lot.” Games, seeing the volunteers all The opportunity to talk with come together for a huge and sucnon-Jewish groups about Judaism cessful event -- I had a blast.” and Israel had the most personal Wilson also thanked “everyone impact on Wilson. “Together with who opened their homes to me Beth Dotan and Jessica Gall of the and made me feel part of their famADL, I spoke in numerous public ilies during my time in Omaha, and and Catholic schools throughout all the amazing people I had the the Omaha area,” she said. “I told privilege to work with in this truly them about Israeli culture, great community.” described the Western Galilee, and “No matter what your political discussed the challenges faced by view or agenda,” Wilson continyoung people in Israel. All in all, I ued, “Israel needs the support of Elya Wilson reached almost 500 students. It Jews around the world, and it was was amazing to present a unique topic to those students, heartwarming for me to see the Omaha agencies and many of whom had no background knowledge of Israel, Omaha people of all ages, from all walks of life, working and many stereotypes. Hopefully, these exchanges to strengthen that connection. To those who haven’t yet helped promote their understanding and acceptance of had the opportunity to visit Israel, I think there is no Jews and Israelis.” better way to love Israel than to travel there and experiAnother of Wilson’s successful efforts was a photogra- ence it first hand. On a mission, on Birthright, on other phy project for Partnership with Israel which ‘twinned’ programs or just traveling on your own. As an Israeli, it’s eighteen teens from Omaha and the Western Galilee magical to see the immediate connection each and every who subsequently joined forces to mount a photograph- Jew experiences while in Israel.” ic display of freedom from their two perspectives. When Kim Goldberg summed up the wishes of many. “I speaking of the exhibit, Elya said, ‘I was extremely excit- know Elya will find great success in her future endeavors ed to bring this kind of programming to the Omaha because of her natural talent of working with others and community. The exploration of freedom is particularly her passion for life. Her fantastic smile and upbeat important for both sets of teens, and through this nature makes people excited to be a part of what she’s process they had a chance to learn about the different doing. Thank you, Elya, for all you contributed to journeys they will take. American teens go off to college, Omaha. We will continue to feel your positive force for Israeli teens go to enlist. It’s a very powerful start to the many years to come.” discussion.’ In Kim Goldberg’s words, “The photogra-
September 10, 2010
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Day of Caring and Sharing: bringing the vision to life by ILANA WEISS Institute for Holocaust Education In the midst of a week of competing, making friends and enjoying the best of Omaha, Maccabi participants engaged in an afternoon devoted to helping and to reflect on the Day of Caring and Sharing. On Aug. 4, 25 buses of Maccabi athletes, coaches and delegation heads lined the JCC parking lot ready to venture to the WYUKA cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. An extra seat was filled on each bus as educators, predominantly from the Nebraska Holocaust Education Consortium of the Institute for Holocaust Education, led an educational session during the bus ride. The educators, who are teachers from public and private schools in the Omaha and Lincoln area, were prepared with background about WYUKA as well as the Nebraska State Holocaust Memorial which rests at that site. Teachers also put participants’ knowledge to the test during an interactive “quiz” in which participants were asked multiple choice questions regarding the Holocaust and other acts of genocide. In addition, a short, thought provoking film about the Berlin Olympics of 1936 was shown as well as testimony of Holocaust survivor and cofounder of the Heartland Holocaust Education Fund, Sam Fried. The conversations that ensued after the ride may have been even more important than the facts that were learned on the bus. Jamie Sindelar, teacher at D.C. West Middle School recalls, “During the busride, most of the kids were wide-eyed, attentive, and receptive to what I was sharing with them. After a little while, the adult coaches and sponsors began to get really involved in the discussion.
They were asking me lots of questions, and even offering information that wasn’t part of what was in the lesson plan. Before I knew it, the microphone was being passed from person to person, and everyone was contributing to the discussion. That was really neat to stand back and watch.” One of the students on Sindelar’s bus
you can never go wrong.” Upon arriving at WYUKA, Maccabi participants departed their buses to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust by visiting the memorial and placing a stone at the site. They then went on to perform acts of community service within the WYUKA cemetery and park, cleaning the site, mulching trees and laying b r i c k s . Following their work, a short ceremony was held, during which Father David Korth of the St. Augustine Mission in Winnebago, Nebraska played the N a t i v e American flute as a prayer for JCC Maccabi Games participants from Omaha laying down bricks in the those who Butterfly Garden at WYUKA. The Garden will be a memorial to the perished 1,500,000 children lost in the Holocaust. during the asked if she was Jewish, which she is not. Holocaust. Survivor Sam Fried reminded “That gave me a wonderful opportunity the crowd of young people that 1.5 milto share with the group why I was so lion children perished during the happy to be there with them and why the Holocaust and that the athletes’ presence experience was so important to me,” said at the memorial was of special signifiSindelar. “I told them that I believe cance on that Day of Caring and Sharing. Holocaust Education is important and At the end of the ceremony, Gary Hill, that I was excited to be part of the serv- Director of the Nebraska State ice work that was going to be done at Memorial, announced that each of the WYUKA. I sent the message that it did- 30 Maccabi Games delegations would n’t matter the religious beliefs - when have a permanent brick placed at people come together for a good cause, WYUKA to recognize the contributions
they made to the site. During the ceremony, Sharon Kirshenbaum, Chairperson of the Day of Caring & Sharing addressed the crowd. She stated, “Performing acts of community service is part of Jewish tradition. At this Nebraska Holocaust Memorial, we are drawing upon the strength and courage of those whose lives were lost. All of us are obligated to remember this important past. Both in person and in our hearts we assert our active role to continue to transform our world into one of infinite possibility.” The Day of Caring and Sharing was not a stand alone event, however. Before coming to Omaha, Maccabi athletes were encouraged to bring Holocaust related books for the Maccabi Tzedakah project to be donated to Nebraska schools that study this topic and are in need of the educational materials. In all 840 books with over 100 titles were collected. The delegation from Contra Costa, California took their involvement even one step further. Each athlete from the delegation chose to read a book about the Holocaust and then researched the life of a child who lived during that time. “The logistics to bring all the Maccabi participants to WYUKA were tremendous. It was well worth the effort to bring this vision to life, and see all those kids from my vantage point on the stage at the end of the program. I suddenly felt Sam’s emotion as we looked out at the sea of Jewish youth, the educators and volunteers who participated in this day. It was rather surreal,” commented Beth Seldin Dotan, Executive Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Septemebr 10, 2010
Netanyahu, Abbas each give a little on first day of talks WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Tell us what you want. Now listen to what your partner wants. Now tell us what your partner wants. In slow increments, talks between Israelis and Palestinians are taking on the dimensions of counseling sessions moderated by the United States. Heading into a White House dinner Wednesday evening with President Obama and the Jordanian and Egyptian leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas outlined their bottom lines: security and recognition for the Jewish state, settlement halts and final-status negotiations for Abbas. By mid-morning Thursday, when they met in the upper reaches of the U.S. State Department beneath the watchful eye of a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, it was clear that some mediation had taken place in the cavernous room named for the first U.S. secretary of state. Netanyahu was more forthcoming about final-status talks, if not settlements. Abbas was just as adamant about Israeli concessions but was more forthcoming about understanding Israel’s security needs. A bit later George Mitchell, the top U.S. envoy to the region, took a break from talks with the two leaders to announce that they had agreed to meet in their home region in two weeks, around Sept. 14 or 15, and to follow up with meetings every two weeks. Mitchell said the first goal was to reach a “framework agreement” that would outline the necessary compromises, and then work out the details that would flesh out a full agreement. Setting a cordial tone was key, he said. “We have encouraged the parties to be
positive in their outlook and in their actions,” Mitchell said. In her opening remarks at a news conference Thursday morning with the two leaders, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it sound as if half the battle was getting to the point of talking. “I know the decision to sit at this table was not easy,” Clinton said. “We understand the suspicion and skepticism that so many feel, worn out after years of conflict and frustration.”
tiations that follow. For the time being, merely holding a meeting to launch talks gives each leader something to take back home. Netanyahu can argue to the world and the Israeli public that he is interested in serious negotiations. If there are gains for the Palestinians, Abbas will be able to show the Palestinians that they can wring concessions from Israel by talking rather than by violence -the Hamas method. Obama will get credit for relaunching direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis after a two-year hiatus. Netanyahu, who until now has insisted that security and incitement are his more immediate priorities, suggested that he is interested in more than the appearance of talks and is ready to tackle the more vexing core issues. “The core issues that you described, Madame SecrePresident Obama holds a working dinner with, clockwise tary, are things we have disfrom left, King Abdullah II of Jordan, U.S. Secretary of State agreements on, but we have Hillary Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to get from disagreements Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Quartet to agreement,” Netanyahu envoy Tony Blair and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in said at Thursday’s news conthe Old Family Dining Room of the White House, Sept. 1, ference. Credit: White House / Pete Souza 2010. Netanyahu, who on But Clinton pressed the parties to get Wednesday evening recognized a quickly to the core issues -- the fate of Palestinian claim to the land of Israel, told Jerusalem, the Palestinian-Israeli borders, Abbas that he “respects” the Palestinian the question of Palestinian refugees. right to sovereignty. “We are convinced that if you move forFor his part Abbas, whose remarks at ward in good faith, we can resolve all of the White House dinner constituted a the core issues within one year,” she said. laundry list of Palestinian plaints, was That remains to be seen, of course. expansive Thursday morning in acknowlCritics have said that lip service and edging Israel’s security needs, especially photo ops may be the only achievement in the wake of two terrorist attacks in two to come from this summit and the nego- days that left four Israeli civilians dead,
including a pregnant woman. “We not only condemned them but also followed the perpetrators and found the car that was used, and arrested those who sold and bought the car,” he said, touting the performance of a Palestinian security service he said was still “young.” “Security is of essence, it is vital for both of us. We cannot allow for anyone to do anything that would undermine your security and our security.” At the same time, the leaders held their ground on significant differences that threaten, even at this early stage, to derail the talks. Abbas has threatened to bolt the talks unless Netanyahu extends a ten-month partial moratorium on settlement building that expires on Sept. 26. Netanyahu has indicated that he will let the moratorium lapse and not reintroduce it until an agreement is in place. Abbas gave no ground on Netanyahu’s demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state, telling him that it was enough in 1993 that the Palestinians recognized Israel. Netanyahu holds that recognition of a Jewish claim is key to ending the Palestinian culture of incitement, which he says is a cause of terrorism. “In this document we give enough to show our intentions are good,” Abbas said. The meetings were launched Thursday with a meeting of the two negotiating teams. They then broke up into one meeting of Mitchell, Clinton, Abbas and Netanyahu in Clinton’s office, and another of the negotiating teams to work out the details of the midSeptember follow-up meeting. After that, Mitchell reported, Abbas and Netanyahu went into a face-to-face meeting.
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Reflection, renewal and celebration mark the High Holidays at Beth El Synagogue by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Each year, the High Holy Days serve as a welcome reprieve from everyday life for Jews around the world, offering a quiet time of spiritual inventory and forgiveness. And every year, Beth El Synagogue offers meaningful avenues for Jewish community members of all ages to observe this sacred time and welcome the new year. Now that Rosh Hashanah has been celebrated, the congregation looks forward to observing Yom Kippur, beginning with Kol Nidre services at 7:40 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17. The following morning, traditional services will be held in the sanctuary at 9 a.m.; the alternative service at 9:45 a.m. Once again, the Beth El family is honored to welcome renowned scholar and liturgist Rabbi Jules Harlow, who will lead some services. A member of the Rabbinical Assembly’s executive staff for over three decades, Rabbi Harlow served as editor of the first edition of Siddur Sim Shalom, the Conservative movement’s prayer book for Shabbat, festivals and weekdays; he also edited the latest Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Mahzor. Rabbi Harlow will present a D’var Torah in the sanctuary during Kol Nidre services; he will also lead the alternative service the next morning in the social hall. As a special treat, the rabbi will lead a thought-provoking study session on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 5:15 p.m. Minha-Ne’ilah will begin at 6:15 p.m. The congregation’s children (ages 12 and younger) are invited to participate in a processional and Havdalah service at the end of the service, around 7:50 p.m.; all participants will meet in the chapel at 7:30 p.m. Parents of very young children are asked to accompany them in the processional. In addition, Beth El members experienced in blowing the shofar are invited to take part in a group sounding of rams’ horns at the conclusion of Ne’ilah (around 8 p.m.) Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact Rabbi Mordechai Levin by Tuesday, Sept. 14, at rabbilevin@bethel-omaha.org. Beth El’s children and teens will welcome the new year with special youth programming during the synagogue’s High Holidays services. Through age-appropriate games, activities and discussions, young people from preschool (3 and 4 year olds) through 7th grade will learn about the significance of the holidays and their importance in our lives. Activities will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Yom Kippur; a light snack will be served. For children from three months old through preschool age, babysitting will be available during Kol Nidre, as well as the next day. Cost is $18 per child for each child registered for either programming or babysitting. All children attending must be pre-registered. For more information, contact Program Director Margie
Gutnik in the synagogue office, 492.8550, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org. As in past years, Beth El’s high school students (8th to 12th grades) will lead an hour-long service for younger students at 10 a.m. on Sept. 18. The teens will receive volunteer service hours for the time they spend in preparation and leading the service. Teens wishing to participate must attend a planning meeting and practice session on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 12:30 p.m. at the synagogue. For more information, contact Education Director Judy Rubin at 498.0904, or eddir@bethelomaha.org. Beth El also has planned fun-filled festivities for Sukkot and Simchat Torah, and Jewish community members of all ages are invited to join in the celebration. On Sunday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 19, Men’s Club will erect the synagogue’s lovely sukkah in the front courtyard; decorations will be provided by the BESTT art classes and will be hung by Chaverim, Kadima and USY youth groups. The first-ever, community-wide Sukkah Hop is planned for Sunday, Sept. 26 (see details on page 11); and Beth El’s Sukkot services will be held daily from Wednesday, Sept. 22 through Wednesday, Sept. 29. Rounding out the High Holidays will be a spirited Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing in the Torah”) celebration on Thursday, Sept. 30. This festive holiday celebrates the love of Torah, and is observed with lively instrumental music, singing and dancing with the Torah scrolls throughout the community court. Minha/ Ma’ariv and Hakafot will take place at 5:30 p.m., during which BESTT kindergartners will receive their own miniature Torahs. The evening’s merriment will be capped off with a delicious spaghetti and salad dinner. Reservations are required for the dinner: there is no charge for Beth El members who RSVP by Sept. 27 (non-members, $5); after that date, cost will be $5 for members and $10 for non-members. To make a reservation for the dinner, send a check -made payable to Beth El Synagogue – to “Family Simchat Torah Dinner,” Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California St. Omaha NE 68154. Be sure to specify the number of adults and or/children attending. For more information, contact Gutnik in the synagogue office. Finally, on Friday, Oct. 1, services will be held at 9:30 a.m., during which two dedicated congregants (to be announced at a later date) will be honored for their involvement at the synagogue. Every year, the High Holidays offer families throughout the community a great opportunity to reflect and celebrate together. The synagogue’s doors are always open to newcomers, to interfaith families and every member of the Jewish community – join Beth El family for the first festive celebrations of 5771.
The Synagogue Mystery Tour by ILANA WEISS What can be mysterious about a Synagogue? On Oct. 10, first and second graders are invited to find out on a Synagogue Mystery Tour. From 9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., students will travel to each of Omaha’s three synagogues to learn about the many symbols and elements within each building. The program is the initiative of Judy Rubin, Education Director at Beth El Synagogue. “Ever since I arrived in Omaha in 2004, I have explored ways for all the schools to plan community grade level events,” stated Ms. Rubin. “When I worked in synagogue schools outside of Omaha, community-wide events were a matter of course. Since our individual budgets could not support additional activities, I decided to write a grant for the Synagogue Mystery Tour. Thanks to the generosity of the Herbert Goldsten Trust, support of the Center for Jewish Education, and the cooperation of Beth El, Beth Israel, Temple Israel and the Friedel Jewish Academy, we are able to offer this fun, yet instructional event to the first and second graders in the Omaha Jewish community.” Students will assemble at the Jewish Community Center at the start of the event, and will travel by bus to each synagogue. At the synagogues, the children will meet with clergy who will show them the features of the sanctuary. As they play a game, students will learn the similarities and differences between the symbols in the three places of worship. They will learn that while some objects may look different, there are many elements that are common to all synagogues in Omaha and around the world. In the midst of the fun, participants will also nosh
on a kosher snack and when they are picked up at the JCC at the end of the tour, they will walk away with a stylish souvenir. While Ms. Rubin based the plans for the Synagogue Mystery Tour upon a model that she created in Richmond, Virginia, she noted that this event will be unique to the Omaha community. She also added, “If the Synagogue Mystery Tour is a success, we would like to offer it every two years.” Flyers and permission slips will be distributed at each religious school. For more information, contact Synagogue Mystery Tour Coordinator, Ilana Weiss at 402.502.9963 or weiss.ilana@yahoo.com.
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Administrative Assistant The Center for Jewish Education The Center for Jewish Education, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, is seeking an Administrative Assistant. Duties include general administrative duties, publicity work, grant writing, assisting with agency programming, website work, and providing support in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Applicants must have strong oral and written communication skills, enjoy working with people, be well organized, and be well versed in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint. Previous administrative experience required. Position is up to 25 hours per week. Please submit resume to Tina Story, Human Resources Specialist, 333 S. 132 Street, Omaha NE 68154-2198. Resumes may also be faxed to 334-6484 or emailed to tstory@jewishomaha.org. Equal Opportunity Employer; background check required.
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ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker yet to be announced for Wednesday, Sept. 15, noon at the Blumkin Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $13; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the e-mail list call 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish words have made their way into every phase of modern life, show biz, law, classrooms, etc. Come join us at our new meeting room (across from the beauty salon) at the Blumkin Home, every Thurdsay, 1-3 pm. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.
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Septemebr 10, 2010
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READ IT AND EAT Reviewed by LOIS FRIEDMAN Y’all Come! About Memphis: Take a “Home of the Blues” bus tour of Beale Street. Visit Graceland/Elvis/ Rock ‘n Roll. See YaYa, the female Giant Panda at the Memphis Zoo. Stroll through a replica of the first selfservice grocery store in the country, Piggly Wiggly. Visit museums and cafes along the Mississippi River. Or check out this cookbook and discover Hachnasas orchim – welcoming guests in the Simply Southern cookbook. About the s c h o o l : Margolin H e b r e w Academy/ Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, is an Orthodox day school founded in 1949. It is currently home to 210 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. About the cookbook: it includes 1500 recipes featuring Southern style/hospitality for this fund raising project. In addition, 300 “Southern recipes turned kosher and kosher recipes turned Southern” were chosen, symbolizing Jewish recipes from below the MasonDixon Line. Stories of then and now are part of the chapter pages and headnotes and are a glimpse into the Memphis Jewish community. So are the recipes which years ago were part of a collection in a card box from the cooking school’s efforts to raise money for the school…that was four editions ago. Miriam schlepped across town for kosher fish. Evelyn learned to substitute healthy ingredients for schmaltz. Sue Ann created the Real Fried Chicken recipe. Southern belles Joan and Diane share their hospitality and recipes. And Bernice found kosher food at Piggly Wiggly!
About the recipes: The chapters are Appetizers & Starters, Soups & Sandwiches, Salads, Brunch & Dairy, Pasta-Grains & Rice, Meats, Poultry, Fish, Vegetables & Side Dishes and Desserts. The recipes feature small color photographs and brief instructions. Nice ‘n Hot Apricots, Hodge Podge Salad, Dixie Caviar, Rock ‘n Reuben Deli Roll, Finger Lickin’ Sweet & Sour Short Ribs and more. Everything from soup to nuts for your celebration of the New Year. Come and eat, Y’all! MINI MATZO BALL GUMBO SOUP 1 pound sausage of choice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 1 sweet red pepper, chopped 1 yellow pepper, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon spicy seasoning 2-3 teaspoons Creole seasoning 8 cups beef broth 1 matzo ball mix, prepared and refrigerated 1 (16 ounce) package frozen okra Sauté sausage in oil in a hot skillet. Remove sausage. Add onion, all peppers, and garlic. Sauté until tender. Return sausage and add spicy and Creole seasoning. Pour in broth. Bring to boil. Shape 1 teaspoon matzo mixture at a time into balls and drop into soup. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove matzo balls. Add frozen okra and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Return matzo balls to soup. Yield 8 to 10 servings NASHVILLE NUTS 1 stick butter or margarine 2 egg whites 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound pecans halves Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Melt butter or margarine in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish or jelly roll pan in the oven. Beat egg whites until stiff. Gradually beat in sugar and salt until thickened. Stir in nuts. Spread nuts into dish over butter or margarine. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir mixture. Bake an additional 15 minutes. Turn off oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Spread nuts out on wax paper to cool. Break apart. Use this recipe as a base from which to experiment. Play around with different types of nuts and spices. Some possibilities: peanuts and cashews, cinnamon and vanilla or chili powder for a sweet and spicy version. Yield 20 servings. Lois Friedman can be reached at ReadItAndEat@ yahoo.com.
Derech Torah: Judaism 101 Begins October 4 by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education Now in its 6th year, “Derech Torah: Judaism 101”, returns this fall to the Center for Jewish Education with Dr. Guy Matalon, agency Executive Director as lead instructor. The course introduces the adult learner to Judaism as a religious culture. Jewish theology, life cycle events, and Judaism’s worldview are all discussed in some detail. The class is ideal for those considering conversion or for those who want to “brush up” on their Jewish knowledge. “Derech Torah: Judaism 101 meets the need of a single basic Judaism class in the Omaha community. It was developed with input from Rabbis Azriel, Gross, and Levin to offer a gateway into Judaism”, states Matalon. “It is great for those who are exploring their spirituality or wanting a starting point to study Judaism.” Over the
past five years, over 75 people have participated in the program. Last year’s smaller class size of 12 students was a bonus to those who participated. One of Dr. Matalon’s students, Crystal Modde, had this to say, “The class helped me to begin to understand Judaism from both a Torah perspective and a historical perspective. I liked the broad scope of content, the variety of readings and the discussion format. Dr. Guy Matalon is a fantastic teacher.” Classes will meet Mondays from 8–9 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, beginning Oct. 4. Pre-registration is required by Sept. 13. Tuition is $150 per person or $250 per couple. Texts required for the course are the JPS Tanakh and Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin. To register for Derech Torah: Judaism 101 or for additional information, please call 334.6445 or email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed on Friday, Sept. 10, for Rosh Hashanah and Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24, for Sukkot; the deadline for the Oct. 1 issue is Tuesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 334.6448.
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Through photo project, Beth El stands with Israel’s “Women of the Wall” Federation Campaign begins by SHARON KIRSHENBAUM JFO Campaign Director The Jewish Federation of Omaha is kicking off the 2011 Annual Campaign with a number of exciting innovations. Several new campaign programs are being implemented and a number of our long-time volunteers are assuming new roles and responsibilities for the success of our campaign. Our focus right now in the opening weeks of our campaign is to bring our division leaders and solicitors together to explore ways of communicating and connecting to our donors. We feel that it is so important to try to reach every community member to convey the message of what this campaign does for every individual in Jewish Omaha. This is truly “the gift you get back”. Over the years we have told the stories of those who benefit from our programs and services. In these times of economic change and personal mobility, what each of us needs to understand is that stories we hear about others, could become stories of our own. The Jewish community is increasingly reaching out to Jews in need here at home, in Israel and around the world -- these stories are our stories and this is our opportunity to help. That’s what being Jewish feels like.
ENGAGEMENT PRIESMAN/WEISBROT Rhoda and Harlan Priesman announce the engagement of their daughter, Jamie Diane Priesman to Dr. Jeffrey Lawrence Weisbrot, son of Dr. Albert and Sherry Weisbrot. The bride-to-be received her bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. and earned her master’s degree in counseling at the University of Phoenix. She worked for Banner Health in Arizona for eight years as a crisis therapist. She currently works for Fidelity Investment in Covington, Ky. She is the granddaughter of the late Jean Priesman Selo and Ernie Priesman, and the late Elsie and Herbert Levin. Her fiancé received his bachelor’s degree from Miami University and his D.D.S. degree from Marquette School of Dentistry. He practices at Loveland Family Dentistry in Loveland, OH. He is the grandson of Rita and Edwin Grusd, and the late Moszek and Mindla Weisbrot.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Auditions for 60 children’s roles in this December’s production of The Nutcracker will be held on Friday, Oct. 8, 4-8:30 p.m. at the Cassling Education Center of the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets, Omaha. More than 100 youth are expected to be cast in the production; some roles will be double cast. Information regarding the auditions can be found at www.balletnebraska.org. Those auditioning must preregister by calling the Rose Theater, 402.345.4849. Greenblatt & Seay announce the Fourteenth Annual Schoolhouse Fiddling Bee, on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2:30 p.m., in the auditorium of the Old Avoca, Nebraska Schoolhouse. Registration for contestants starts at 1:30 p.m., Oct.10. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. For more information, call 402.275.3221, log on to www.greenblattandseay.com, or e-mail debby@ greenblattandseay.com. Join Joe Gerstandt and Rita Paskowitz for an interactive exploration of personal truth, community and the power of story on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the UNO – CPACS building, Creative Commons. Registration is required and group size is limited. For more information and to register, please go to http://theplusoneproject.event brite.com.
by JILL BELMONT agogue’s Torahs. Beth El Publicity Coordinator “When I read of the project and the international A picture is worth a thousand words. There’s strength effort by women, I found it to be a statement by Jewish in numbers. These adages serve as the backbone of the women that we should be included in praying, reading “10,000 Pictures to Israel Project,” a worldwide cam- Torah, etc.,” Mitchell said. “Women’s right to participaign advocating the right of women to pray with Torah pate in Torah reading, praying in their synagogues, leadscrolls at the Western ing services, etc., has Wall. This campaign has long been recognized at been initiated by the Beth El Synagogue in Jerusalem-based group Omaha. This same atti“Women of the Wall,” tude should pervade who are protesting the Judaism on all levels. If a fact that although woman or girl is knowlwomen are free to hold edgeable and has the Torah scrolls in many ability, she should be synagogues, they’re not encouraged to particiallowed that right at the pate in any aspect of reliWall, Judaism’s holiest gious services. By sendsite. ing our pictures to Israeli For the “Pictures to leaders, we will be sendIsrael” project, the ing a strong message group is calling for affirming this.” 10,000 Jewish women Anyone interested in around the world to send having her photo taken Evie Mitchell, who is heading up the local "10,000 Pictures to photos of themselves for the “10,000 Israel" campaign, contributed to the cause by sending in this picholding Torah scrolls, to Pictures” project is ture of herself holding a Torah scroll. The photo was taken in 1990 key Israeli leaders, encouraged to come to at Beth El Synagogue, in honor of her Bat Mitzvah. including Prime Minister Beth El on September Benjamin Netanyahu and Jewish Agency Chairman, 19; those wishing to send in existing pictures may drop Natan Sharansky. them off at the synagogue or mail them to Mitchell at When Beth El congregant Evie Mitchell became aware 1835 S. 139th Street, Omaha NE 68144. In addition, of this project, she answered the call, spearheading two photos may be uploaded and sent through the group’s photo-taking sessions at the synagogue. The next one web site, http://womenofthewall.org.il/solid will take place on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. All arity/take-a-stand. Jewish women in the community are invited to attend, For more information, contact Mitchell at and have their picture snapped alongside one of the syn- evmit@cox.net or 333.7668.
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September 10, 2010
Tri-teen summer experience by SHELLY FARAHAN shared their feelings about living in the shadow of the first made in English. They were then translated into This July I was lucky enough to be a Madricha (coun- Holocaust. This causes them to hide their religious Hungarian, Bulgarian, Russian, Turkish, Hebrew and selor) for the Tri-teen trip to Israel and Hungary beliefs from most of their friends. Before the program, Polish. Simple things like this reminded all of us that through the Jewish Federation. High school students many Hungarians felt ashamed of the State of Israel. The wherever we go, there will always be a Jewish house for from America, Americans were the most us to visit. This feeling heightened when, as one large Hungary, and Israel objective on the topic, see- group, we sang songs in Hebrew. It didn’t matter that came together for the ing that although they see we all spoke different languages because we all undertrip. We began the themselves as Zionists and stood that we were bonded through Judaism. Jewish life program in Israel, feel saddened about the in Eastern Europe has been strengthening in the past where we stayed for Holocaust, they have few twenty years, and I hope it will continue to do so. nine days. We toured personal connections to My generation is lucky to be the first generation in Jerusalem and the Eastern Europe since Western Galilee. For the Holocaust to find the following twelve such comfort in days, we went to a Jewish pride. Because Jewish camp in of this program, I now Hungary called feel that I am not just Szarvas. Our last a part of the Jewish weekend was spent in community in Budapest. I started America. My Jewish the program as a identity was shaped stranger to 26 studuring my time spent dents and three at the Hasten Hebrew madrichim, and Academy, Hillel, and ended the trip with Jewish studies classes 29 new best friends. at Indiana University. Looking back, I know I am a proud Jewish that exploring Jewish Hoosier, but I now history with Jews know that beyond from around the that, I am part of a world offered me a community that exists completely new perall over the world. spective on both my The trip culminated American and Jewish with a visit to identities. Budapest. We attendAll of the American ed Shabbat services at participants had been The Great Synagogue, Above left: Me atop Masada. Above right: My brother and me at his swearing-in ceremony to the army at the Kotel. to Israel prior to our which is the second trip. But it was the first time for the Hungarians. these topics. This discussion made me further under- biggest synagogue in the world. We also toured the Watching them see Jerusalem for the first time was stand what it meant for my parents to be Jews in Russia Jewish quarter, which was part of the Jewish ghetto durincredibly meaningful for both the Israeli and the and Iran, and appreciate their coming to America to give ing the Second World War. The trip’s ending built a American students. Seeing the Hungarians experience my siblings and me the opportunity to practice our reli- sense of Jewish pride for all of the participants. We were Jewish pride for the first time reminded all of us that we gion freely. Looking back, I think that this was the turn- in a city where the effects of anti-Semitism are still are lucky that we can live and breathe Judaism. It was ing point of our journey-- walls were broken down and strong and alive. But programs like Tri-teen remind important for the students to experience the program understanding was bridged between the students. Jewish youth that although our past makes us all conwith Jewish kids from other countries because all of their Arriving to Szarvas Camp in southeast Hungary was nected, it is just as important to build a future where our responses to our Jewish state reminded them that their an overwhelming experience. We were there for one 12 bond as one large Jewish community becomes an even religion makes them a part of something special. day summer session. (Typically the camp has four ses- stronger one. In the short three weeks that I spent with We went to the Ghetto Fighters Museum in a sions, but due to the drop in the economy and lack of the participants, I saw them grow to tremendous Holocaust memorial kibbutz in the Western Galilee. The funding it was only possible to have two this summer.) heights. The experience was as meaningful for me as it differences in our Jewish identities and upbringing truly There were Jews from all over the world, including was for the students. I have made lifelong friendships came through at this point in our trip. We spoke about Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Moldova, with the students and madrichim. We have already starthow the Holocaust and the founding of the State of Romania, India, Israel, America, Turkey and more. The ed making plans to visit each other in Israel, Hungary Israel are two events in history that remain strong points camp had 600 campers, and we all came together in the and America. of identification for Jews. However, the Hungarians same room for every meal. The announcements were
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As recession drags on, middle-class families forced to turn to Jewish food banks by SUE FISHKOFF annually for a family of four. SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) -- Robert M., 58, worked “Today, $10,000 does not seem livable,” said Joshua for a news organization in the San Francisco Bay area Protas, vice president and Washington director of the until September 2008, when he lost his job in layoffs Jewish Council on Public Affairs (JCPA). that eliminated 15 percent of the company’s workforce The JCPA is working in Washington to prevent pronationwide. Robert had eight months of savings. They posed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ran out in six months. Program, or SNAP (formerly known as the federal Food After 14 months of unemployment, in December Stamps program), as well as to the child nutrition reau2009 Robert turned to San Francisco’s Jewish Family thorization bill, which provides 19.4 million children and Children’s Services with free or subsidized (JFCS) for help with school lunches, among rent, utilities and, hardother things. est of all, food. “That includes a sub“It was gut-wrenchstantial Jewish populaing,” said Robert, who tion,” Protas said. asked that his last name Ironically, the U.S. not be used. “I’d conSenate recently passed its tributed a lot to charities version of the bill that over the years, including proposed funding, in JFCS. My wife and I part by making additiongave to the food bank al cuts to SNAP. The regularly. Now we were JCPA is trying to head on the other side.” off similar cannibalizaIt sounds apocryphal: tion in the House of Former donors to a Representatives version Jewish charity reduced to of the bill. seeking help from that In addition, the very same organization. Washington office of the But as more and more Jewish Federations is Jews are caught up in the The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty delivered Rosh working to prevent a recession, now two years Hashanah food packages throughout New York City in September proposed 25 percent Credit: Roy Somech/Photography by Roy running, food banks 2009 reduction in the across the United States are reporting the same phe- Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which provides nomenon. Middle-class Jews, professional Jews, young supplemental economic relief to millions of Americans people with families -- they’re out of work, their savings through faith-based community programs and public are gone, and they are showing up for help at Jewish providers. The cuts would be for fiscal year 2011, which social service agencies. begins Oct. 1. With unemployment extensions about to run out for But many Jews in desperate economic straits fall outmany, the problem is expected to worsen. side the purview of these federal programs. For them, “In addition to the poor and the working poor, which the private Jewish charities are their only lifeline. we’ve always served, there’s been a substantial increase In Chicago, 42,000 people -- 20 percent of the the past 18 months among the middle and upper-mid- region’s Jewish population -- received emergency food dle class who are not in a position to make it, yet are not assistance through the Jewish United Fund/Jewish poor enough to get benefits” from government, said Federation of Metropolitan Chicago between June 2008 William Rapfogel, CEO and executive director of the and July 2010. That represents a 24 percent increase Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty in New York. from the previous two years. Even so, the myth persists that Jews are affluent. In another twist, Jews in their 50s and early 60s are “There is denial of the degree of need in the Jewish trying to access the agency’s older adult services procommunity,” said Barbara Levy Gradet, executive direc- gram, which traditionally serves much older individuals. tor of Jewish Community Services in Baltimore. “We San Francisco’s Jewish Family and Children’s Services, have young families as well as retired people looking for which serves about 65,000 mainly Jewish individuals a work. This is an equal-opportunity recession.” year, had one food pantry two years ago. Now the The Met Council in New York, which serves the organization has five, one in each county it covers. largest number of Jewish poor in the nation, distributes Executive director Anita Friedman says two-thirds of food packages at 60 sites in New York City’s five bor- the program's food clients signed up within the past oughs, part of the $3.5 million in food aid it gives out year. every year. “There has always been a small group of chronically Fifteen thousand households receive the packages -- poor in our community, but the tsunami is the thouup from 9,000 a year-and-a-half ago -- and virtually all sands who have recently lost their jobs,” she said. are Jewish. Whereas before the recession the Met “Insurance, banking, finance, the tourist industry, anyCouncil saw a lot of haredi Orthodox families and the thing related to real estate -- all these have been really elderly, there has been a dramatic increase over the last hurt.” two years in non-haredi Orthodox families and the nonIn Baltimore, Jewish Community Services helped observant, Rapfogel said. 25,000 of the region’s 90,000 Jews over the past year One of the Met Council’s new clients is a 53-year-old with everything from food aid to employment assisgrandmother who had an administrative job in a Jewish tance. The usual short-term programs of one or two day school but was laid off in June 2009. She’s still col- months are no longer enough, Gradet says. Clients now lecting unemployment, which she supplemented a few need help for six months to a year. times with food vouchers from the Met Council. In 2007, the organization spent $750,000 in housing “I’m looking to work,” she told JTA. “I’m not look- and food assistance. In the past year it spent $1.2 miling to collect Medicaid or food stamps. It’s very hard lion. when you have to depend on your children to help you. Gradet says former government workers -- attorneys, It’s not a good feeling.” money managers and other white-collar professionals -It’s impossible to know just how many Jewish poor have been showing up asking for help. there are in America. A 2004 study by the federation Thankfully, say those in charge of these food proumbrella organization -- now known as the Jewish grams, the Jewish community has stepped up to help out Federations of North America -- found 730,000 Jewish with donations and volunteering their time. In individuals, or about 15 percent of the country’s Jewish Baltimore, a recent half-million-dollar matching grant population, living in economic distress either below or from a local donor was quickly matched by other conslightly above the federal poverty standard. That was tributions from the community. Other cities report simbefore the current recession. ilar gestures. The federal poverty guidelines themselves are woeful“The Jewish community is very sensitive to these ly outdated, say many experts in the field. They are set issues and is very generous,” Friedman said. “It’s a blessat $10,830 annually for an individual and $22,050 ing.”
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed on Friday, Sept. 10, for Rosh Hashanah and Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24, for Sukkot; the deadline for the Oct. 1 issue is Tuesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 334.6448.
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September 10, 2010
A Shabbat Shuvah Memory STAYING IN TOUCH by OZZIE NOGG
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For the past few weeks I’ve been observing my traditional pre-New Year customs -- wallowing in the nostalgia of past yontifs, thinking about people I miss, berating myself over things-I-might-havedone differently. You know. All the introspective behaviors typical of so many of us at this time of year. I’ve also been reliving my Bat Mitzvah, celebrated over fifty years ago on Shabbat Shuvah -- the Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. My father was my teacher. A rabbi, Old-World style, Poppa specialized in teaching (at which he was a veritable Pied Piper) and in reading Torah (at which he was uncommonly skilled.) When Poppa read Torah, each trop was flawlessly and lovingly chanted, and his dramatic interpretation of the text gave listeners goose bumps, even if the listeners had zero understanding of Hebrew, which was usually the case. Having a man of this caliber as their melamed was, to young students, a scary business. Poppa tried to instill his passion for the perfect trop and his reverence for the Hebrew word in all his students. They sat at his feet, tried their best, but still mangled many a munach in the process. Poppa listened to each of them and said, simply, “Again.” His endurance was legendary. I was a fidgety pupil. The trop came easily enough, but the haftarah for Shabbat Shuvah, full of exhortations to renounce sin, transgression and return to God, held little interest for me. My delivery was sloppy and Poppa said “again” with regularity. “How terrible would it be if I make a few mistakes, Poppa?” I asked him. “No one in the congregation will know.” “If you make a mistake you will know,” he said. I was only twelve and this wisdom was lost on me. Now, if my father was the consummate teacher, my mother was the quintessential seamstress, and so, of course, she made my Bat Mitzvah dress. I could have
worn that dress inside-out, so exquisitely was it lined and finished. No raw edges. No tangled threads. If a seam didn’t meet my mother’s standards, she simply ripped it out and sewed it again. “Why do you care so much about the inside?” I asked her. “No one is ever going to see the inside.” “A dress may be beautiful on the outside,” my mother replied. “But if the inside is not well made, the dress will soon fall apart. Any good tailor knows that.” This wisdom was lost on me, too. • • • • • My Bat Mitzvah, as best I can recall, went just fine. Did I make mistakes? I don’t remember for sure, but probably yes. What I do know for certain is that the years since that Shabbat Shuvah have not been errorfree. And so, this New Year, I will again say Al Chet and ask atonement for my sins. The sins of pride, anger, ingratitude, jealousy, disrespect, laziness ... you know. All the sins of which most of us are typically guilty. And this Shabbat Shuvah I’ll remember my Bat Mitzvah and the teachings of my parents. Lessons even more meaningful to my life than the words of my haftarah. I’ll remember to take more care with my stitches, Ma. I’ll try to tie up all those loose ends and neatly finish the seams. Sure, I’d like the outside to be beautiful, but I’ll try to give greater attention to the inside. I want this garment (which is me ...) to wear well, after all, and not fall apart. And yes, Poppa, I’ll remember that when I make a mistake -- even one that only I am aware of -- it’s still a mistake. I’ll ask to be forgiven, but this forgiveness may be the hardest to get, for it must come not from others but from me. • • • • • “Return, oh Israel, unto the Lord your God,” says the haftarah for Shabbat Shuvah. “Say unto Him, forgive all iniquity and accept that which is good.” We should say that to one another, too. Forgive all iniquity. Accept that which is good, in others and in ourselves. May you and yours be inscribed for a New Year of sweetness and good health. Ozzie Nogg’s features take a slightly offbeat look at the history and observance of Jewish holidays, festivals and life-cycle events. For a peek inside her book -- Joseph’s Bones: A Collection of Stories -- visit her website -http://www.rabbisdaughter.com.
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. 30. “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,” according to its mission statement. 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 to request a grant application form. The deadline for grant requests will be Friday, Oct. 1. Grant requests should be submitted in writing, using the Livingston Foundation grant application form, to Howard N. Epstein at 11605 Miracle Hills Drive, Suite 300, P.O. Box 542005, Omaha, NE 68154-8005.
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Important find in Jerusalem Walls National Park by EDGAR ASHER To coincide with the 11th Annual City of David Archaeology Conference which recently took place at the City of David, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has shown one of its latest finds. This 2,000 year old cameo bears the image of Cupid, and was discovered in the 1800 year old Roman Structure, Givati Parking Lot Excavation which is part of the Jerusalem Walls National Park. The cameo, which is 1 cm in length and 0.7 mm in width was discovered in excavations being conducted by the IAA under the direction of Dr. Doron Ben Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets of the IAA. It was funded by the Ir David Foundation. The 2,000 year old semi-precious cameo bears
the image of Cupid (Eros in Greek Mythology), and probably came from a piece of jewelry. According to Dr. Ben Ami, “the cameo is made from two layers of semi-precious onyx stone. The upper layer, into which the image of cupid is engraved, is a striking blue color which contrasts with the dark brown background color of the lower layer. The brown layer is the side of the cameo which would have been inserted into the round metal setting of a piece of jewelry, apparently an earring. The cupid’s left hand is resting on an upsidedown torch which symbolizes the cessation of life. The feathers of his wings are hinted at by a number of grooves, his face is full and round, and his hair is curly. This discovery, together with other important finds that we uncovered from this unusual large Roman structure at the City of David, contribute significantly to our understanding of the nature of Jerusalem’s Roman Period.”
September 10, 2010
Community-wide Sukkot celebration by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator This year’s Sukkot celebration will truly be a community-wide affair, as Omaha’s three synagogues and the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Social Services come together to present the first-ever “Sukkah Hop.� Planned for Sunday, Sept 26, the Sukkah Hop will be a progressive event offering treats for all ages, including a variety of foods, music, crafts and games at each synagogue, as well as the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. The congregations’ rabbis expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming community-wide event. “In the Torah, Sukkot is called ‘the holiday of gathering,’� said Beth Israel’s Rabbi Jonathan Gross. “The Torah commands us specifically on Sukkot to rejoice together with the entire community. This Sukkah Hop is the perfect way to fully observe the spirit of the holiday, to come together and to celebrate. I personally am looking forward to enjoying the great food and camaraderie with the progressive dinner in each of the sukkahs.� Rabbi Mordechai Levin of Beth El remarked that he is “looking forward to a wonderful afternoon and evening where we come together as a community in one another’s sukkah. We have never had an event like this in the Omaha area, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to share and enjoy Jewish tradition, food, and friendship and have a lot of fun at each stop.� Echoing the thoughts of his colleagues, Rabbi Eric Linder of Temple Israel added that, “The holiday is a remembrance of our wanderings through the desert, so
it’s fitting that we will be ‘wandering’ to our different synagogues throughout the afternoon.� And at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, Lois Wine, director of Volunteer Services, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration, saying, “Everyone at the Home is excited about the Sukkah Hop, and looking forward to hosting friends and family members at this wonderful holiday event. Delicious desserts will be served and we all will enjoy listening to Tuffy Epstein’s great music. What a great way to celebrate the Sukkot holiday!� To kick off the event, Temple Israel will provide visitors with snacks at 3 p.m.; then at 4:15 p.m., Beth Israel will offer its hospitality by serving soup and salad; at 5:30 p.m., Beth El welcomes guests by a serving pizza and lasagna dinner; and at 6:45 p.m., the fun continues at the Blumkin Home, which will provide dessert and entertainment provided by Tuffy Epstein. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday celebration, filled with fun for folks of all ages! Cost is $5 per person, and transportation is available upon request. Reservations will be accepted until Sept. 21, and may be made by contacting one of the three congregations. To RSVP or for more information, contact Margie Gutnik at Beth El, 492.8550, or programming@bethel-omaha.org; Wendy Goldberg at Temple Israel, 556.6536, or wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha.com; or Beth Cohen at Beth Israel, 556.6288, or bethcohen@orthodoxomaha.org. The Sukkah Hop is being generously sponsored by the Esther K. Newman and the Carolyn Kully Newman Funds.
IN THE NEWS Lance Kugler, MD has joined William Schlichtemeier, MD as a LASIK and cataract surgery specialist. An Omaha native, Dr. Kugler earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. After practicing ophthalmology in Omaha for four years, Dr. Kugler completed the prestigious Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery in Nashville, TN. During his fellowship, he performed more than 1,300 refractive procedures and specialized in treating patients who had LASIK complications elsewhere. Dr. Kugler joined Dr. Schlichtemeier to bring the
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most advanced, state-of-the-art LASIK and cataract surgery technology to Nebraska. He also serves as Director of Refractive Surgery for the University of Nebraska Medical Center, advancing resident education and research programs in the field of refractive surgery. Dr. Kugler is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, has authored numerous journal articles, and is active in a variety of professional organizations. He and his wife, Traci, have five children. KIOS-FM has been awarded the Silver Award for Public Service Program by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association for the feature story on Brundibar by Michael Lyon, which aired last year. Brundibar was a collaboration between the Institute for Holocaust Education and Opera Omaha.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Golf Outing a winner for players and Temple Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator About 80 golfers competed in Temple Israel’s Annual Golf Outing on Aug. 16 at Shadow Ridge Country Club. After a buffet lunch and some practice on the putting green, they all took off in golf carts. Shadow Ridge was “excellent,� said Jeff Smedlund who co-chaired the fund raiser with Dan Marburg. “They did a great job for us.�
Morris and Cindy Friedman were among the golfers at Temple’s annual Golf Outing at Shadow Ridge. Smedlund described the annual event as “very successful. We’re fortunate to have some very generous people who donate to the Golf Outing.� “People walked away with some really great raffle prizes,� he added. Among the winners were John Lehr who took home an Ipad he won at a raffle hole and Jon Meyers who came in first place in the putting contest and won a new computer. Smedlund and Marburg thanked Shadow Ridge, the Temple staff, the numerous volunteers, and the Golf Committee “for making the Golf Outing a successful event� year after year. Plans are to play at Shadow Ridge again next summer.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 10, 2010
Busy
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press After weeks of looking forward to that sweet round Challah, counting the days, and finding the perfect outfit to wear to synagogue, the holidays are finally here. Family has been invited, menus have been planned, and travel arrangements made. In the meantime, we are trying to plan for, and make it through some exceptionally short work weeks. We are busy, busy, busy. As is so often the case, the days ahead seem overwhelming, rather than holy, because with our planning and arranging, we make them that way. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the new Jewish year, and is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first sin, and the subsequent repentance. God is proclaimed King of the Universe, and “the Kabbalists teach that the continued existence of the universe is dependent upon the renewal of the divine desire for a world when we accept G-d’s kingship each year on Rosh Hashanah” (Chabad.org). As if that isn’t enough, it is also on Rosh Hashanah that Abraham bound Isaac. It seems the holiday itself is every bit as busy as we are, but with a different emphasis. I imagine Christians feel the same at the onset of their holiday season, as do Muslims right before Ramadan. It’s human nature to get caught up in the everyday, in the mundane, rather than focus on a more spiritual existence. Spirituality is all good and well, we think, but the in-laws are coming and they need clean sheets and a great breakfast. Besides, isn’t that what Rabbis are for? They take care of our spiritual needs; we have more important things to worry about. Except, Judaism is not that kind of religion. Jews aren’t meant to be merely faithful consumers, who passively ingest what Rabbis feed them; instead, we are supposed to take an active role, to think, to participate, to act. We all know this. So why do so many of us spend more time on the pot roast than we do on our soul?
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Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim, we tell each other, “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year”. What is that, a “good” year? Does it mean making enough money, keeping our kids clothed, staying healthy? Getting that job we so desperately hope for, a bigger house, kids who do their homework, and visit us in our old age? But none of these blessings can happen without our cooperation. We won’t stay healthy unless we eat the right foods and take care of our bodies. That job is only offered to us if we thoroughly prepare ourselves, and our children only visit if we work hard on our relationships. In other words, we have to participate, take an active role. We are not always able to force good things to happen to us, but we can sure sabotage the outcome. I know, I am getting awfully preachy. Sorry; I tend to do that this time of year. I think it comes from a genuine desire to not ask myself: ‘what will happen in the new year’, but instead focus on what I have to do differently. It’s a simple consequence of looking at the calendar and realizing another year has flown by, wondering what I’ve done with the past one, and whether it is enough. Maybe it is okay to be busy with that m e n u , getting the guestroom r e a d y, opening our house,
as long as we keep the end goal in mind. The purpose of the pot roast, after all, is not the meat itself, but who we feed with it; the purpose of cleaning the guestroom is not to simply have a nice room to look at, but to welcome the guest who will sleep there. The purpose of being busy with mundane things is that, at some point, we can sit down and experience the not-so mundane things. I wish you all many of those moments over the coming year, starting now. • • • • • Having said all this, High Holdiay season at the Jewish Press wouldn’t be complete without the staff already having one eye on the 2011 Passover issue. The topic for this issue will be: Jews in the military, past and present. If you have story ideas you’d like us to consider, have personally experienced military life, or want to tell us about people you think would fit the topic, feel free to contact the Jewish Press at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. We are looking forward to your submissions.
FOCUS ON ISSUES by RABBI CHARLES KROLOFF Westfield, N.J. (JTA) -- The High Holidays bring with them a creative tension: respect for tradition alongside a call for change, a time when we are aware of both our blessings and our responsibilities. We hear this piercing call at the center of our High Holiday liturgy: “Let us proclaim the sacred power of this day,” we pray during Un’taneh Tokef. “It is awesome and full of dread.” It’s not enough simply to enjoy our blessings; we must recognize the responsibility they bring. It’s not enough to simply hope for the best; we must connect with that sacred power. We must work to achieve what we pray for — for our communities, our country, our Jewish homeland and ourselves. In these holy days, the Jewish state stands at a turning point, as Israelis and Palestinians stand poised to engage in direct negotiations. Their aim is to achieve the one solution upon which all sides have long agreed: two states, living in peace and security. Notably, fully three-quarters of American Jews back a two-state solution. Today, as we open our prayer books and gather as family at our holiday meals, the time has come for that majority to move beyond hoping for the best. The time has come to work for a real constituency for peace. Our role is unique. American commitment is crucial to the success of the talks. Israelis and Palestinians will be asked to make painful com-
Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Eric Dunning, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Past President; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Jason Epstein; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Michael Kaufman; Jamie Meyerson; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman; Nancy Wolf. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.
Let’s recognize the sacred power of this time - for peace promises and to deal with the results of decades of hostilities. The Obama Administration has acknowledged that its peace initiative won’t advance if there’s no momentum in support from American citizens. It’s time to make our voices heard. It’s time to tell the Obama administration and Congress that we know a two-state agreement is in the best interests of Israel, the Palestinians and American security needs. We must assure our elected officials that they’ll have a reliable base of support when they take bold steps to further negotiations — that, in fact, there is no more pro-Israel position than working to achieve a two-state peace settlement. It’s time, in no small part, because time is not on Israel’s side. At some point, circumstances may turn against Israel so negatively that we may look back on this moment as a tragically missed opportunity. Demographic trends and increasing extremism on both sides pose a real threat to the Jewish democracy. The sheer relentlessness of loss and fear lead many to abandon hope. Ultimately, those who lose hope will also lose their willingness to compromise. We have a narrow window of opportunity. If we’re still talking about the first phase of direct negotiations next Rosh Hashanah, it will mean we’ve failed to grapple with the single most pressing issue on the Jewish people’s agenda. My commitment to Israel’s security and prosperity is unswerving. My admiration for her achievements is unbounded. At the same time, I owe it to Israel to express myself as honestly as possible. Torah teaches us that real
Bobbi Leibowitz President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
friends -- or, in fact, loving family -- offer the truth, with the caution, care and respect that family deserves. Rather than retreat from discussing the difficult issues of peace, we must call upon our best traditions as a people always ready to debate. We are, at our core, God-wrestlers, who seek truth together even when we don’t agree. Any final agreements will, of course, be in the hands of Israelis and Palestinians, but we American Jews must also bring our best minds to this conflict, engaging with Israelis and Palestinians as they find their way to a settlement – one that will bring security to Israel, hope for a better future to Palestinians and peace to the region. It’s not enough merely to seek atonement. We’re expected to do the difficult work of examining our behavior and effecting real change. This will require tough choices and the full engagement of Israel’s supporters, but surely a resolution of this horrendous conflict is worth that effort. Israel’s agreements with Egypt and Jordan stand as proof that after difficult negotiations, peace can withstand the tests of time and circumstance. In the years to come, let it not be said that we stood on the sidelines in the face of great opportunity. Instead, let it be said that we recognized the “sacred power of this time” and seized this moment to support those who aggressively pursue the cause of peace. Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff, a member of the J Street Rabbinic Cabinet, is past president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu-El of Westfield, N.J.
Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewish omaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but 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 personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $35 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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September 10, 2010
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Page 13
Palestinian leaders must foster hope, not hate FOCUS ON ISSUES by JENNIFER LASZLO MIZRAHI WASHINGTON (JTA) -- With a flurry of diplomatic activity regarding direct Israeli-Palestinian talks, a contingent from The Israel Project (TIP), including pollster Stanley Greenberg, met in the West Bank with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. Our goal in last week’s meeting with the Palestinian leaders was to help protect Israel, Jews and a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis by reducing the culture of hate that teaches Palestinian children and others to hate and deny Israel. We provided the leaders with studies demonstrating that ending the culture of hate is not only in Israel’s interest but also theirs. We shared key findings from a poll done for TIP by Greenberg and carried out by Arabs in the West Bank and Gaza. It showed that 69 percent of West Bank residents polled said they believed in a two-state solution. Furthermore, 56 percent said they regretted Yasser Arafat’s failure to accept the peace deal offered by President Clinton at Camp David in 2000. We also shared a report by Palestinian Media Watch http://www.palwatch .org/STORAGE/special%20reports/ Proximity_Talks_MayJune_2010_Final.pdf showing that even during proximity talks, Palestinian Authority leaders’ statements, official media, children’s programs and events undermine peace for both sides. To their own people, in Arabic, the Palestinian Authority, Fatah leaders and
official PA media continue to use American tax dollars to deny Israel’s existence and glorify terror. The responses to these studies and comments by the two key Palestinian leaders were enlightening. Fayyad, who is highly regarded by many Israeli and American leaders for his commitment to a two-state solution, focused on improving security for both sides and for improving the quality of life of the Palestinian people, seemed pleased by the poll numbers. He indicated that he was disturbed by the report on the culture of hate and went through events in
Our goal in last week’s meeting with the Palestinian leaders was to help protect Israel, Jews and a peaceful future for Palestinians and Israelis by reducing the culture of hate that teaches Palestinian children and others to hate and deny Israel. which he was personally involved, giving us his explanations. Fayyad expressed interest in doing things differently in the future. Fayyad told us he is focusing on how many Palestinians think a two-state solution will actually happen. “We need to defeat rejectionism,” he told us, by creating facts on the ground that make daily life better under moderate leadership than under Hamas. In Ramallah we saw examples of these facts: significant new construction, beautiful restaurants and shops, new roads and more. Fayyad spoke excitedly about the restoration and opening of a movie house in Jenin, once a hotbed of Palestinian militancy and now a city where Palestinian security forces are in control and the economy is growing. Fayyad explained that in his vision of a
Those hip, new Conservative Jews by SUE FISHKOFF The Conservative leadership has been wracking its brain to come up with a new image that will attract the next generation of young Jews, those who refuse to be boxed in by outdated labels but who yearn for the authenticity the movement aims to provide. Now the Wall Street Journal has handed it to them on a platter: postdenominational. Yup, the buzzword of the moment, and writer Diane Cole used it to describe dear old CJ: “Even the Conservative movement itself can also be said to be post-denominational in the sense that it bills itself as a “big tent,” able to accommodate all comers, regardless of their degree of knowledge,
observance and belief”. Her article itself was a glowing recommendation of the movement’s new machzor, or High Holiday prayer book, “Lev Shalem.” Twelve years in the making, it is truly a work of art and spiritual inspiration, as I wrote in my JTA article last month. Cole loves it, too: “Comprehensive and informative, traditional and contemporary, this full-hearted prayer book speaks eloquently to the mind and soul”. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik will be reciting yizkhor, the traditional memorial service, from Machzor Lev Shalem Sept. 11 at a memorial service for the victims of 9/11 at Ground Zero.
Israeli box office scores big with Monty Python-inspired film “This is Sodom” by ADAM SOCLOF The cast and crew of "Eretz Nehederet" -- Israel's popular TV comedy that constitutes a combination of "Saturday Night Live" and "The Daily Show" -recently took their comedy act to the big screen with "This is Sodom" (Heb. Zohi S'dom). The film, Israel's runaway box office hit of the summer, is a satirical retelling of the Biblical story in Genesis in which Abraham and Lot attempt save the wanton city of Sodom from destruction. Directors Adam Sanderson and Muli Segev are unabashed about their having drawn inspiration from the Monty Python crew's "The Life of Brian" in designing the set, costumes and comedic
Palestinian state, Jews and others would be welcome to become citizens and visit holy sites. However, Fayyad is not a part of the negotiating team because he is not a member of the Fatah Party and there is political friction between him and Fatah. Our TIP contingent then met with Saeb Erekat, who heads the Palestinian negotiating team and is a member of Fatah. We shared the same poll numbers and overall Palestinian Media Watch report with him. I explained that I had heard personally from Sandy Berger, who was part of President Clinton’s negotiating team,
style of the film. While the film has received mixed critical reviews, Segev expressed his hope that it will one day be canonized as part of Israel's Independence Day broadcast with a million viewers tuning in. For now, Segev, Sanderson and the cast ought to be content with 100 thousand tickets sold in the film's opening weekend and a staggering 309,444 tickets sold from Aug. 5-21 -- a blockbuster in Israel, population 7.5 million. For comparison, The Marker notes that 'Avatar' sold 79 thousand tickets during its opening weekend run in Israel. So far, the film has grossed nearly $3 million and has been nominated for 5 Ophir awards, Israel's version of the Academy Awards.
and others that when Arafat was offered a Palestinian state at Camp David and Taba, he refused because he was concerned that his own people would kill him. Why would official Palestinian media and textbooks create a situation that would put their own leaders in danger for doing what is in their own best interest? “What can be done to prepare for peace?” I asked Erekat. His answer: “We will educate for peace when there is peace.” This is a recipe for disaster. We saw what happened when Israel withdrew from Gaza with hopes of peace, but Palestinians there had not been prepared for peace. As a result, Hamas took over by a combination of the ballot box and force. Israeli civilians sustained a barrage of thousands of rockets and missiles,
LETTER TO THE
EDITOR
Dear Editor, After 9/11, President Bush wisely announced to the world that the attack was the work of radicals. America was not at war with Islam. However, an ill wind has been blowing strongly across America these days. It is the wind of fear fanned by unscrupulous politicians, myopic thinkers, and a sensation hungry press. It is fear of those who speak a different language. It is fear of a President of a different color. It is fear of those who follow a different religion. The mosque controversy near, but not at, Ground Zero in New York is symbolic of this problem. While acknowledging the Constitutional right of Muslims to have a mosque where they wish, nevertheless, their intentions are decried as “insensitive.” Charles Krauthammer, a conservative thinker, on August 21, 2010, opined that this is like the Japanese wanting to erect a cultural center at Pearl Harbor. That, however, is a poor analogy. The Japanese Empire attacked Pearl Harbor. However, the one billion followers of Islam did not attack us on 9/11. Krauthammer acknowledges that only the followers of radical Islam, which he estimates at not more than 7%, supported the attack. No one has proven that this mosque belongs to the radicals. Is the sensitivity, then, that the attackers were Muslims? If so, the logic Krauthammer uses puts us at war with Islam as a whole. Unfortunately, Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the AntiDefamation League, takes the same approach. Foxman’s analogy is the Pope’s request in 1993, that the Carmelite nuns
and innocent lives on both sides were lost. The Palestinian Authority has made some progress combating the culture of hate. School textbooks no longer demonize Jews to the same extent. However, they still do not recognize Israel on their maps or pages. Some 12th-grade textbooks devote several pages to extolling “ribat,” which is similar to “jihad,” holy war. More must be done to prepare the Palestinian people for peace and a better future. While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has urged direct talks immediately without preconditions, the Palestinians still refuse face-to-face talks. Erekat told us that he is concerned about going to negotiations without knowing there will be a successful outcome. “If we can’t produce the ‘white smoke,’” he said, alluding to the process where cardinals pick a pope, “we should not raise expectations.” A large majority of Palestinian people favor a two-state solution, yet do not recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Israel’s security demands that Palestinians look for a permanent end of conflict, not a temporary two-state solution as a staging ground to destroy Israel. World leaders, led by President Obama, must continue to encourage Palestinian leadership to foster a culture of hope, not hate. Only then will there be lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi is the founder and president of The Israel Project http://www.theisraelproject.org, a nonprofit educational organization that provides factual information about Israel and the Middle East to media, leaders and the public. It has offices in Washington and Jerusalem. move their convent from just outside the Auschwitz death camp. The convent, with its huge cross, dismayed many Jews as being insensitive. This analogy is also defective. While the Catholic Church did not build Auschwitz, nor were the Nazis motivated by Christianity, nevertheless, had there not been centuries of persecution and the demonizing of Jews by the Catholic Church, it is doubtful that the Nazis could have perpetrated the Holocaust. As with Krauthammer, Foxman’s logic, whether intended or not, inevitably leads to putting America at war with the whole of Islam. This kind of rhetoric has been a gift to our enemies. As the Omaha World-Herald reported on Sunday, August 29: “Evan Kohlmann, who tracks militant websites for the security consulting firm Flashpoint Global Partners, said supporters of al-Qaida have seized on the controversy ‘with glee.’ • • • Dalia Mogahed of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies said the loudest outcries against the center in New York are ironically similar to Osama bin Laden’s main argument: ‘that the world is divided into two camps, and they’re irreconcilable, and Muslims have to choose which side they’re on.’” This controversy does not serve America well. It hinders the cause of the moderates within Islam. Surely we want to encourage those who espouse tolerance, such as in the Golden Age of Spain, and not those who follow the Stone Age philosophy of the Taliban. Over and over again, the Torah commands us to be considerate of the stranger because we were strangers in the land of Egypt. Jews, and all Americans, should act accordingly. Steven J. Riekes
Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 10, 2010
Candlelighting Friday, September 10, 7:24 p.m.
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Prayer Group 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609
Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY, Sept. 17: Kol Nidre services, 7:30 p.m. with guest, Dr. Leonard Greenspoon. SATURDAY, Sept. 18: Services, 10:30 a.m. with guest speaker Dr. Oliver Pollak; concluding service and Break-the-fast potluck, 5:30 p.m. Please call Sandra at 323.8885 to RSVP and let us know what dish you’d like to bring.
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: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Torah Reading, 9:30 a.m. followed by sermon and Shofar blowing; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:24 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush by Sisterhood; “Guard Your Tongue,” “The Great Midrash” and “Advanced Parshah Study for Kids” (ages 10 and up), one hour prior to Mincha every Shabbat; Mincha, 7 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 8:22 p.m. SUNDAY: Fast of Gedaliah begins, 5:37 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tashlich service, 10:30 a.m. at Trendwood Park, 132nd & Pacific Streets; Fast ends, 8:13 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 6:40 a.m. (note change in time for this week.) TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m.; Advanced Halacha Kollel, 9 p.m. Follow the Kollel at www.omaha kollel.blogspot.com. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Shabbat Shuvah, 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Minha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m. BESTT: Classes resume on Sunday, Sept. 12 for grades preK to 7. No classes on Sunday, Sept. 19 (pre-K-7), or Sept. 22 (3– 7). THE MYSTIQUE OF JUDAISM: New adult-education class, led by Andy Greenberg will be held monthly on Sundays, 10 a.m., beginning Sept. 12. The class will explore angels, ghosts, potions, witchcraft, golems and other psychic phenomena about Judaism. Cost: $36 for Beth El members, $45 for non-members. To register, contact synagogue office, or programming@bethelomaha.org. MEN’S CLUB: Will build the synagogue’s sukkah on Sunday, Sept. 12, 8 a.m. All assistance will be appreciated. SUKKAH DECORATING: BESTT Chaverim, Kadima and USY will decorate the synagogue sukkah on Sunday, Sept. 12, 1 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 19, 1 p.m. THURSDAY: CSA pick-up for shareholders, 4:30 p.m. at the synagogue. FRIDAY: Kol Nidre, 7:40 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m.; Alternative service, 9:45 a.m.; Study session, 5:15 p.m. with Rabbi Jules Harlow; MinhaNe’ilah service, 6:15 p.m.; Children’s procession, 7:50 p.m.; Sounding of the Shofar, 8 p.m. All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Shofar Service, 11 a.m.; luncheon to follow services; Tashlich, 2:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook; Rosh Hashanah Program (Shofar Blast), 3:30 p.m. at Remington Heights; Rosh Hashanah Program (Shofar Blast), 4:30 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:20 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m.; Kiddush Luncheon, noon. SUNDAY: Fast of Gedaliah; Service, 8:30 a.m.; Fast ends, 8:07 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. THURSDAY: The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II intermediates and experts, ages 7-9, 3:50 p.m. Please contact Shevi@ochabad.com with any questions or to receive a guest pass. FRIDAY, Sept. 17: Service, 7 a.m.; Kol Nidre, 7 p.m. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Neil Harper. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple; Gan-Grade 7 parents, 11:30 a.m. meet at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High parents, 11:30 a.m. meet at South Street Temple. THURSDAY: Choir Rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m. FRIDAY, Sept. 17: Yom Kippur Evening Service, 8 p.m. SATURDAY, Sept. 18: Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10 a.m.; Yom Kippur Afternoon Service, 3 p.m.; Yom Kippur Children’s Service (concurrent with readings) 3:30 p.m.; all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Break-the-Fast Potluck, 6 p.m. Annual Back-to-School Supplies Drive: The Social Action Committee is collecting school supplies to donate to Saratoga Elementary School. Bring your items to the stage area of the Social Hall. Thank you for helping the children in our neighborhood!
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP There will be no services starting Sept. 10 until after Simchat Torah. Services will resume Oct. 9.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m., led by Miles Remer. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Jim Polack. SUNDAY: Grandparent’s Day program, 1:45 p.m. FRIDAY, Sept. 17: Kol Nidre, 7 p.m. led by Andy Greenberg. SATURDAY, Sept. 18: Yom Kippur Services with Yizkor, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg; Mincha & Neilah, 4 p.m. led by Marti Nerenstone. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend Services at the
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Shuva Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Teachers Meeting, 9 a.m.; Religious School (K-6), 10 a.m.; Prayer Assembly, 10 a.m.; WRJ Book Sorting Day, 10 a.m.; OTYG Board Meeting, 10 a.m.; Consecration Rehearsal, 10:30 a.m.; Consecration Checklist Meeting for Kindergarten Parents, 10:45 a.m.; Sixth Annual Religious School BBQ Lunch, noon sponsored by the Golf Committee, JYG Tie Dye Party, noon; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 1 p.m. TUESDAY: Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; Family School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6-8 p.m.; Approaching the Season of Atonement, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Azriel. THURSDAY: CSA delivery for shareholders, 4:30 p.m. at South entrance. FRIDAY-Sept. 17: Sitter Service, 7 p.m.; Kol Nidre Service, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY-Sept. 18: Children’s service, 9 a.m.; Tot Service, 9 a.m.; Sitter Service, 9:45 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:15 a.m.; Alternative Service, 10:15 a.m. led by Rabbi Linder and OTYG members; panel discussion immediately following morning service; Musical Interlude, 1:45 p.m.; Moments of Remembrance, 2:30 p.m.; Walk of Reflection, 2:30 p.m.; Afternon service/Yizkor /Neilah/Havdalah, 3:30 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat on the Green: Dinner, 6 p.m. and Kabbalat services begin outside at 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9 a.m.; followed by Kiddush luncheon and Talmud study; Mincha, 7 p.m.; Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY: An unveiling ceremony for the grave of Leelo Sommerhauser 11 a.m., at Mount Carmel Cemetery. FRIDAY, Sept. 17: Kol Nidre, 7 p.m. SATURDAY, Sept. 18: Yom Kippur, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Neila, 6:15 p.m.; Havdalah/Break-thefast, 8:15 p.m.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
UNVEILING A stone setting for the grave of Bella Eisenberg will be on Sunday, Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m., at Beth El Cemetery, 84th & L Streets, followed by a reception at the Rose Blumkin Home.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed on Friday, Sept. 10, for Rosh Hashanah and Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24, for Sukkot; the deadline for the Oct. 1 issue is Tuesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 334.6448.
Sunday, Sept. 12 Oak Hills/Bikhor Cholim, Council Bluffs, 10 a.m. Beth El Cemetery, 84th and ‘L’ Sts., 11:30 a.m. Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 Temple Israel Cemetery, 6412 No. 42 St., 1 p.m.
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Glorious Expectations
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha name In real life, if you make a mistake, you rarely get a chance to make up for it. But in the religious life, the Torah gives a chance to make up for mistakes, every single year! That is what Rosh Hashanah means: there is a ten-day period of repentance, declaring an eagerness to do better, to turn over a new leaf, as it were. Thus, Rosh Hashanah gives everyone the opportunity to live a new life, a better life. Repentance is reinvigorating, generating a new spirit, and a new determination. One should seize the opportunity that Rosh Hashanah gives to everybody. Old mistakes should be put aside. One should have a new determination to face the New Year with rectitude and honest effort. Just look at the number of the New Year: 5771. None of us has lived through all those years but we all have lived through enough of them to understand our failures, and to find merit in our successes. There is a famous phrase: Carpe Diem. In this case we should say, get hold of this New Year! Undeserving as we may be, we are given a chance every year to become a new person, unsullied by the past, and able to face the future with a willing heart and a burning desire to be a better person. Therefore, seize the New Year. We wish each other a happy and productive New Year, where each of us is given a chance, whether we deserve it or not, to become a new person with glorious expectations for the future.
D.C. interfaith summit denounces anti-Muslim bigotry by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- An interfaith summit of Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders denounced anti-Muslim bigotry. In a statement released by the group, which represented the majority of the country’s Jews, Muslims and Christians, participants announced that they came together Tuesday in Washington, D.C., “to denounce categorically the derision, misinformation and outright bigotry being directed against America’s Muslim community.” The emergency summit was called by the Islamic Society of North America and co-organized by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Representatives from the Reconstructionist movement, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding founded by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, an umbrella organization of more than 100 synagogues and other Jewish groups, also were in attendance. Summit participants included the national leadership of the mainstream Protestant, evangelical Christian, Baptist and Catholic churches, as well as Muslim and Jewish leaders. Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center is among several in the group scheduled to meet with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday to coordinate Muslim outreach efforts with the Obama administration. The group called upon religious clergy to join efforts to denounce anti-Muslim bigotry and hate violence, saying “leaders of local congregations have a special responsibility to teach with accuracy, fairness and respect about other faith traditions.” Also Tuesday, the Anti-Defamation League announced the formation of the Interfaith Coalition on Mosques to monitor and respond to anti-Muslim bigotry related to efforts to build mosques across the United States. The coalition is expected to begin functioning in about two weeks, according to ADL national director Abraham Foxman.
CORRECTIONS In our Aug. 27 issue, it was printed that an unveiling for Bella Eisenberg will be held Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. This was incorrect; it should have read, “Sunday Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m.” In our Sept. 3 edition, the March of the Living article on page 36 identified the author as Molly Goldberg. This information is incorrect. The Jewish Press regrets these errors.
DEATHS SAMUEL V. COOPER Continued from page 1 Omaha; 13 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild. Services were held Monday, September 6 at Beth El Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Beth El Synagogue or the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. RICHARD IVERS Richard M. Ivers passed away Sept. 6 at the age of 64. He was preceded in death by parents, Malvin and Minnie Ivers. Services were held Sept. 8 at Temple Israel Cemetery. He is survived by wife of 34 years, Marilyn; sons, Jeremy and Michael; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Bill Brummond of South Sioux City, NE; sisters-inlaw and brothers-in-law, Helen and John Burns, and Carl and Isabel Cohen; Niece, Haley Burns; nephew, Josh and Simone Cohen; and numerous other nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Alegent Hospice. DR. BENJAMIN M. NACHMAN Continued from page 1 many people realize the magnitude of what Ben has done”, Belgrade said. “Besides”, he added, “Ben did it so professionally. Imagine; someday a great-greatgrandchild will walk into the Historical Society, and be able to watch a grandparent tell his or her story. That is an amazing thing, and that is why we all are determined to continue Ben’s work”. Services were held on Aug. 30 at Beth El Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Elaine; daughters and sonsin-law, Marilyn and Gary Colick, Nancy and Rusty Silverman, and Carole and Dave Aronchik; grandchildren Zachary Colick, Lauren Colick, Evan Wolfson, Blake Wolfson, and Jacquelyn Silverman; brother and sister-in-law Dr. Al and Doris Nachman, and brother-inlaw and sister-in-law Don and Carolyn Novicoff. Memorials may be sent to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, which has established the Ben Nachman Oral History Endowment Fund in his memory, or to a charity of choice. GERALDINE TRACHTENBARG Geraldine Trachtenbarg passed away Sept. 2 at the age of 80. Services were held on Sept. 5 at Beth El Cemetery. She is survived by husband of 62 years, Ira; daughters and sons-in-law, Arlene and Paul Cohen, and Sharon Tholt and Ken Runnion; grandchildren, Lisa and Shawn Hugg, Andrea Goodman and Chad Johnson, Eric Goodman and Meghan Wallace, and Michelle and Peter Schultz; great-grandchildren, Spencer, Peyton, Sylvia, and Owen; and numerous friends and care givers. Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the American Cancer Society, or to your charity of choice.
Cantor documentary opens for one day at 500 theaters by JTA NEWS STAFF LOS ANGELES (JTA) -- A new documentary chronicling the journey of a group of American cantors to Poland will be screened simultaneously in nearly 500 movie theaters. “100 Voices: A Journey Home,” a 91-minute documentary, offers more than a travelogue with musical performances. The film is a remarkable visual tour of Jewish life in prewar Poland, a history of the cantorial art of chazanut, and a hopeful vision of the resurgence of Jewish life in the blood-soaked land, anchored in the reconciliation of Catholics and Jews. On Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., 488 major movie theaters throughout the United States, except in Alaska and Wyoming at the latest listing, will simultaneously screen “100 Voices.” In Omaha, the film can be viewed at AMC Oakview 24, at 7 pm. The American cantors traveled to Poland last year to sing in Europe’s largest concert hall, located in Warsaw. The movie presents moments of laughter in Warsaw, such as when a cantor imitates a Yiddish shtick once performed by his father in the same city, and moments of awe, when massive choirs and orchestras of Polish gentiles sing and play old Jewish prayers and Israel’s national anthem. “100 Voices” also shows a memorial service at the gates of Auschwitz paying tribute to the 1,300 cantors who perished in the Holocaust.
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Statewide Classified A TRULY loving married couple will provide a secure home and endless love for your baby. Expenses paid. Please call Margaret and James, 1-800-987-4270. ADVERTISE STATEWIDE for $210/25 word classified ad. Over 170 newspapers with circulation of more than 365,000. Contact the Jewish Press at 402-334-6448 or call 1-800-369-2850. BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-8728327. www.steffenslaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. NEED A “smaller” term life insurance policy? Free quote. Apply over the phone. John Queen, 800-383-9336. DO YOU live in rural Nebraska and need a small business loan under $35,000? REAP can help! Call 402-656-3091 or visit www.cfra.org/reap. BANK ORDERED SALE Table Rock Lake Lots from $9,800 Minutes from Branson, MO One Day Liquidation Event - Sat., Oct 2nd 1-800-525-3140 x 105. PHARMACY FOR SALE. St. Paul, NE. Modern, fully computerized, POS. Owners wish to retire. Large trade area, 4 MD, 2 PA. Jim Swinarski RP, 308-750-3437. FOUNDATION/BASEMENT repair. Bulging walls, broken footings, water proofing, drain tile. Call Landmark Construction, 402-432-4517. CC accepted. Free estimates. Affordable. Insured. References. Member BBB. www.lincolnlandmark.com. RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT Outlet; new & used restaurant equipment. See www.Chillmasters.biz for more info; Sioux City, IA, 1-800-526-7105. EASY AND Quick. Your deed is what you need for land/home. 3, 4, 5 bedroom singlewides, doublewides, modulars. 800-375-3115. First time homebuyers program, 785862-0321. FISH CREEK Farm canoe-able farm. 5 acres. Canoe from property, $39,995. Beautiful woods, tons of wildlife. Very limited opportunity. Call today! 800-229-7843. www.LandandCamps.com. DRIVER-NEW PAY PACKAGE! Van and Refrigerated. Daily or weekly pay. Average 2,400 miles/week. 98% no touch freight. CDL-A, 6 months recent experience. 800-414-9569. www.driveknight.com. BETWEEN HIGH School and College? Over 18? Drop that entry level position. Earn what you’re worth! Travel with Successful Young Business Group. Paid Training. Transportation. Lodging Provided. 1-877-646-5050. FULL-TIME FILLMORE County Highway Superintendent position available with Class A or B license, responsible charge experience is preferred but not required. Contact County Clerk, Amy Nelson, for more information by September 30, 2010, 402-759-4931 or Amy.Nelson@Fillmore.nacone.org. MCCLYMONT FEEDYARD is accepting applications for reliable and dependable individuals to fill the positions of machine operator, pen rider, and cattle processor. Wages are based on experience and performance. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, AFLAC and a company sponsored 401(k) plan with matching contribution. Interested candidates may apply in person or by submitting a resume or completed application to McClymont Feedyard, 73027 K Road, Holdrege, NE 68949. McClymont Feedyard is an equal opportunity employer. EILERS MACHINE & Welding in Lexington is looking for a Production Supervisor & Welders. For a more complete job description go to: www.eilersmachine.com. EOE. FACILITY TECHNICIAN: Responsible for material handling and equipment operation. Maintenance Technician: Skills required - Hydraulic, pipefitting, welding, problem resolution. Fax resume to Clean Harbors at 308-235-8227 or e-mail to morrisonk@cleanharbors.com. HVAC INSTALLERS: Experienced. Commercial and residential. EPA certified. Spring applicants please reapply due to website problem and call to verify receipt. Apply in person or online www.callgreens.com. Green Furnace & Plumbing, since 1921. 402-4674444, 4200 N. 48th, Lincoln, NE 68504. Trane, Bryant & Lennox dealer. HERNIA REPAIR? Did you receive a Composix Kugel Mesh Patch between 19992007? If patch was removed due to complications of bowel perforation, abdominal wall tears, puncture of abdominal organs or intestinal fistulae, you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson, 1-800-535-5727.
Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Septemebr 10, 2010
Remembering September 11 by MASADA SIEGEL Several things run through your mind at the end of a great adventure seeking beauty in the world, especially when you have quit your job, run out of money and aren’t certain where in the world you are headed next. But, a philosophical discussion on the meaning of life, with a perfect stranger no less, certainly is not one of them. Grant, a member of an elite Australian special forces team was in line behind me at the Sydney airport, when he started talking to me. It was August 2004 and I was returning home after three months of wandering around Australia and New Zealand, and he was heading to Wales. “Everything happens for a reason”, Grant’s voice echoed in my head. “How can you be so sure?” I asked. “I know it. I’ve seen it every day of my life, and it’s just how the world works.” He said confidently. “How can you believe it?” I wondered. “How do we know that things happen for a reason? Maybe things happen and we give them reason, and not the other way round.” A million thoughts swirled in my head, especially Sept. 11. I vividly remember Sept 11, as I was working for CNN on the Lou Dobbs show, Moneyline, as a field producer. I had just started and was excited as financial news was perfect for me, generally low drama. I distinctly remember a conversation with my father in late August 2001. I said, “I can do this, the markets go up and down, there is no blood and guts in these news stories.” Weeks later, September 11 happened in front of my eyes. Still today, writing about it brings tears. In disbelief, I watched smoke pour out of the enormous gash in one of the World
Trade Centers. Soon after, the building started to fall; as I watched, my brain was screaming, “There are people in that building and you are watching them die and there is nothing you can do.” I have never felt such anguish and helplessness. “Where were you on Sept 11?” I asked. Grant explained, “I’ll never forget Sept. 11; my Mother died in my arms at the hospital and then my brother and I heard the news.”
Dave and I bonded immediately after jumping out of a perfectly good airplane 12,000 feet above the earth in Queenstown, New Zealand. When he invited me to spend time with him and his girlfriend in Perth, Australia, I accepted. I had no plans on this adventure, and wanted to see where the world would take me. One evening in Perth, we had dinner with Dave’s warm and loving family. His
I couldn’t help but think, as I was watching the world falling apart, his world was also falling to pieces thousands of miles away. Soon after, Grant was sent to fight the war in Afghanistan. I covered the story for two years, and my usual happy sunny disposition disappeared. Covering funerals and sad stories daily took its toll. I needed a change, and wanted to focus on the good in the world. I read books by the Dalai Lama, and every positive person out there I could find. But the book that made the most sense to me, was the Australia & New Zealand guidebook. So I did the math, dug into my savings account and booked myself a flight. In my quest to find a new perspective of life, I climbed glaciers, went white-water rafting, hiked mountains, as well as scared myself to death by getting talked into skydiving in New Zealand with my new friend Dave Ellis.
British grandmother, Bette Ellis told me she had met her husband in Jerusalem in 1946. Leonard was in the British military, and they traveled the world together. She was an adventurous lady filled with energy, and as a youngster she was an avid dancer. Mesmerized, I listened. Her world was forever changed on Feb 28,1967 when she was severely injured in a terrorist bomb attack in Aden, Yemen. The bomb exploded during a cocktail party. The two women talking to Bette were killed. Her injuries were severe, but she survived and was left as a paraplegic, paralized from the waist down. The incident shattered the Ellis family. Her youngest son, David, was sent to England to be looked after by Bette’s sister. Her husband Leonard suffered from extreme guilt because he had left Bette at the party as he was called away to work. They eventually divorced, and she found herself a single parent to three children.
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Leonard went on to have three nervous breakdowns and later died from cancer. In my search for beauty in the world, I had come face to face with terrorism and the effects it had on a family during the next 40 years. Once again, my heart was ripped to shreds over how one act, one moment in time, can shatter and splinter a person and a family forever. The story stuck with me, and I recently emailed Dave’s father, Alex, to interview him. He wrote, “Thanks for the interest in Mum’s story. Yes, the impacts may go on for years and in many cases are difficult to cope with, whereas the public interest tends to be more about the event and the immediate impacts. In many ways, there are almost forgotten victims of such attacks. Mum was a very strong person and led a very active life considering the extent of her injuries. Her story is certainly one of strength and hope, but there is no doubt that many other victims have not fared as well.” He continued, “Coincidentally, Mum passed away two years ago and the date is very easy for us to remember as it was 11 Sept 2008.” Wiping away tears, I shook my head in disbelief, I can’t help but wonder about the timing. So while nine years have passed since Sept 11, 2001, for many, it is as if it happened yesterday, and for even more people, the scars of terrorism will be there for generations. I don’t know if I believe if things happen for a reason, but I do know that giving them reason is all most people can accomplish. Perhaps take a moment out of your day, remember the victims of terrorism, and try to make the world a better place. Masada Siegel can be reached at Fungirlcorrespondent@gmail.com.