Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Introducing the JCC Dream Team
September 16, 2011 17 Elul 5771 Vol. 91 | No. 1
This Week
Social protest tents are being removed in Tel Aviv and Holon Page 3
Golems are big in children’s literature Page 8
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP Jewish Press Editor It has been an exciting year for the Jewish Community Center. The recent addition of Executive Director Aaron Rosenfeld was an important step in the changes on our campus. As part of the reorganization, the JCC leadership has assembled a vibrant upper management team for its various departments. Esther Katz, Director of Cultural Arts, was trained at The Professional Children’s School in Philadelphia, PA. She has also studied at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Koresh Dance, University of the Arts, The JCC Dream Team are back row: Laura Wine, left, Kathy McGauvran, and Esther and Temple University where front row: Brian Henson, left, and Ed Heller. she was on a dance scholarship. Her ballet training includes Omaha. Esther taught in the OPS 1991. He played in four Kansas State both the Cecchetti & Vagonova Special Education Program before High School Championships taking methods. Her modern dance back- starting as the Dance Director at the 4th, 2nd and State Champs twice. ground is in Graham, Anthony, and J in 2006. She has been teaching here Brian comes from a family of wellHorton. Esther was a member of for the past seven years. She and versed athletes; his father is a sucmany independent dance companies husband Philip have two children, cessful high school coach in Kansas and his brother, a college and NBA in Philadelphia. She demonstrated Jonah, four, and Talia, 10 months. Brian Henson, Director of Sports player, now coaches at UNLV. for Philadanco company classes and Recreation, played college basBasketball is a passion of his and he under Pat Thomas and taught ballet ketball at Kansas State University is thrilled to be a part of the JCC and modern dance at The and was voted Mr. Kansas Basketball basketball program. Brian is marProfessional Children’s School for and McDonald’s All-American in ried to Theresa; their children are seven years before moving to
Nebraska Holocaust Memorial the focus of JFL campers’ tzedakah Project A new soul comes of age: Yael Naim Page 9
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
Next Week Rosh Hashanah Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
12 14 15
by MARY BORT to volunteer at the Nebraska Heartland Holocaust Educational Fund Holocaust Memorial located at When the Jewish Federation of Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln. “The Lincoln (JFL) awards camp scholarships to youth in the Lincoln area, the goal is to provide them with a fun and meaningful experience, and keep them involved in Jewish life during the summer. This year, as part of the JFL’s camp scholarship program, campers were asked to give back to the Jewish community by participating in a tzedakah project. Volunteers Karsyn Shkolnick, Mark Shkolnick, Alex According to John Murray, Tziporah Hamicksburg, and Illyana Mosow, JFL Board Hamicksburg clean the Star of Remembrance sculpmember and Youth ture. Scholarship Chair, arrangements were made for youth tzedakah project was the culmination of the kids’ camping experience,” he said. “We thought we’d organize a project that would be important to them, and the memorial seemed like the perfect choice. The campers weren’t required to volunteer at the memorial, but it was an opportunity open to all of them.” The memorial’s volunteer Managing Director, Gary Hill, coordinated with Mosow for the Continued on page 3
Isaac, 13 and Isabel, 10. Laura Wine, Director of Youth and Family Programs has been with the JCC Youth Services Department for 21 years. During that time, she has held the position of counselor, assistant director, specialty camp director, and Kidz Inn Coordinator. She has been the Youth Services Director since 1999. In addition, she is also an Instructor for the American Red Cross. Laura plans and implements youth programs for K6th Grade, including school breaks, Kidz Inn after care, birthday parties, babysitters’ courses and overnights. She will be supervising BBYO and Katz; teen programming as well as Fit N Sit. Laura met her husband Bryan while they were both camp counselors at the J. They have two children: Andrew, 12, and Elizabeth, who is 10. Ed Heller, Director of JCC Health and Fitness has been part of the JCC staff for 11 years. His education background includes a B.S. degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Iowa State University. He also carries Continued on page 2
Annual Campaign: Change is in the air by SHERRIE SAAG Development Associate, Jewish Federation of Omaha Change may be the word of the moment at the Jewish Federation of Omaha but, one thing will stay the same. The Annual Campaign
Omaha to act in support of others. According to Norm Sheldon, Campaign Co-Chair, The Annual Campaign is what makes our community run. “The first element is to understand that together, we must assume ownership of our
Federation Annual Campaign Co-Chairs Ellie Batt and Norm Sheldon will remain as our preeminent fundraising vehicle; allowing us to meet our local needs while helping Jews all around the world. This year, it is all about inspiring and advancing our changing Jewish community. The campaign’s theme, “Doing a World of Good” is more than a marketing tagline. It carries the message that together, we care for those in need here in Omaha, in Israel, and around the world. We nurture and sustain Jewish identity and engage Jews in
community and the responsibility to ensure its continuity, and we do this in two ways: with our dollars and with our time.” “The change on campus is palpable. Where once we just imagined it, now you can feel it and see it,” said Jody Malashock, Jewish Federation of Omaha President. Malashock is, of course, referring to the structural reorganization that created a CEO/CFO model, improved use of facilities, and Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | September 16, 2011
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As this year draws to a close and we look forward to Rosh Hashana, I can’t help but reflect back on this year of transformation for the Federation. We have tried to keep you all updated on the structural and operational changes that have been implemented with the creation of our CEO model. You’ve seen the changes yourselves in every visit to the campus and when you read the Jewish Press. But possibly the most important change is not one that we can see or even quantify... it’s a feeling of community. Last June when I attended the JFStival, commemorating 100 years of Jewish Family Service, I was struck by the power of community. I looked around me at so many faces representing the strength and diversity of the Omaha Jewish Community coming together to celebrate our mission. We see the same community coming together to enjoy our current Backyard Concert series, or to participate in all of the new fall programs and activities. The results of our work may seem obvious in the goals we are achieving each and every day as our agencies and departments work together to provide quality programs and
services. What you may not see is what is happening behind the scenes, particularly with our volunteers and lay leadership. The Jewish Federation is the Jewish Community and we are making community our top priority. The newly formed Planning and Community Engagement Committee is meeting weekly to prepare us as an organization to meet our changing needs and perpetuate our success. Engaging the next generation and remaining relevant in the lives of Jewish families is our charge, and we are reaching out to all of you to help us secure our future. In your mail you’ll be receiving our 2012 Annual Campaign brochure which lists the generous donors to last year’s campaign and shows where your dollars are going. We’re working for greater transparency and efficiency but we also need to raise the dollars to provide for the needs of Jews in Omaha, Israel and around the world. I want to emphasize the message that this is your campaign, your community and your turn to make a difference. As you reflect on the new year, I urge you to think about your role in Jewish Omaha. I invite you to get involved. There are volunteer opportunities in every agency. If you don’t want to volunteer, we urge you to participate in one of our many outstanding programs. Most of all, we want your ideas, your opinions and your views about your community. The day to day operations of our campus are in the hands of our skilled and hard working staff members, but the mission, goals and direction of this community is in your hands.
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Annual Campaign Continued from page 1 expanded community programming. “The goal being, this is where we want the community to be,� she added. “The swimming pool’s new towels and food service, fresh popped popcorn in the theatre during our Omaha Jewish Film Festival, and the upcoming Backyard Concert Series utilizing the beautiful campus grounds are just a few of the visible changes. We hope people are happy with all the positive things happening as part of the One Campus One Community initiative. So much more is ahead of us,� Malashock said. Mike Silverman, Chief Executive Officer went further, explaining, “The Federation campus has one simple goal : to make this the very best place for our community. For that to happen, we need 100% of the community to support our efforts. Take part in the Annual Campaign. We’ll be better for it.� “The success we achieve with our Annual Campaign translates into so many wonderful things. For example, the more dollars we raise, the more scholarships we can fund. This means more teens can experience Israel, more students can learn at the CDC and Friedel, and more young adults can participate in leadership and philanthropy. What a wonderful thing to see in action every day on our campus,� said Jan Goldstein, Chief Development Officer, Jewish Federation of Omaha. Your donation and your time fund and support the programs you love at the JCC, the Kripke Library, the Omaha
Jewish Chai School and the Cultural Arts Department, to name a few. It’s a promise that Jewish social services and established community organizations will remain strong and active for all of us. And, it ensures a vibrant Jewish identity for future generations. “Because we work together as a community, we bring dignity, hope and joy to people’s lives every day. We effectively respond to the crises that confront us and our neighbors with loving kindness, compassion and enduring Jewish values. Together, we accomplish so much more than what one individual could do alone,� said Ellie Batt, Campaign Co-Chair. Every gift to the Annual Campaign makes a difference. The impact is real and it is tangible. It’s easier to find work if you’re no longer hungry. It’s easier to raise your family with support programs for young and old alike. Whether it’s in Omaha, in Israel, or elsewhere, the Annual Campaign helps those who need it. Goldstein added, “Whatever you care most about, whether it’s feeding the hungry, caring for the elderly, educating children, or building Jewish identity, chances are the Jewish Federation of Omaha supports a program that will touch your heart.� The Federation Annual Campaign kicks off soon. We look forward to your support. Contact Sharon Kirshenbaum at 402.334.6485 or online at jewishomaha .org/donate to make your gift.
JCC Dream Team Continued from page 1 a certification through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). In 2004 he was promoted to Fitness Director, which gave him the ability to be more hands on with the day-to-day functions of the Fitness Center. Ed says: “Throughout my years at the JCC, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and supervise some great staff members. The J has been a true asset for my wife Sarah, and boys, Lance, five, and Luke, two. With both my sons going to the CDC, I’ve been able to watch and engage with them on a regular basis, which I’m truly thankful for. I’m looking forward to working with Aaron Rosenfeld and the other Directors here at the JCC and keeping the facility and programming here going at a top notch level, as well as providing great customer service to our wonderful members. My door is always open so please stop by to say ‘Hello.’� Kathy McGauvran, Director of Customer Service began
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EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 29-30 for Rosh Hashanah, and Thursday and Friday, Oct. 13-14, for Sukkot. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is Monday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. for the Oct. 7 issue and Wednesday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. for the Oct. 21 issue. Questions? Call 402.334.6448
her JCC career when she came into the J to work out, and Chuck Arnold asked if she would be interested in helping out in the “Basket Room� (for those who remember way back when, the Basket Room was the check-in desk for JCC members) for a couple of days as they needed some help due to another staff member’s absence. That was nearly 21 years ago. Since that time, Kathy created the Member Services Department and worked for the JCC for nine years. After the birth of her first son, she began working for the Jewish Federation as the Director of Women’s Campaign and then eventually took over the Missions Department as well. Fast forward 12 more years and two more boys, Kathy has made her return back to the JCC as the Director of Customer Service. “I am so excited to have the opportunity to be working with not only the JCC members again but the fantastic J staff as well. I guess I’m what you call a lifer. Not only have I been a member of the Omaha JCC since I was a child, but I am fortunate enough to call the J my home for my professional life and for my family, too.� Kathy has been married to John for 16 years, and has three boys: Will, 12, Adam, 10, and Ryan, 6. “We have looked for the best and the brightest,� Rosenfeld says, “and in many cases we needed to look no further than this campus. In all cases we have chosen very dynamic and enthusiastic professionals. Together we will be focused on taking the JCC customer experience to even greater heights.�
September 16, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 3
Protest tents removed by EDGAR ASHER The tent protests have Municipal inspectors achieved a lot of what they from the cities of Tel Aviv set out to do. Attention has and nearby Holon started been focused on the shortremoving social protest age of reasonable lowtent encampments from priced housing for young the city centers. During people and lower income the night of Sept. 7, families. It also focused on inspectors cleared out the rampant profiteering uninhabited tents as part of supermarket chains that of the ongoing program of have been making incrediremoving the encampble profits on their cusments from the cities. tomers. Many internationInspectors in Tel Aviv visal well-known Israeliited the encampments and made brands of food prodHolon municipal workers pulling down a temporary dwelling in the March of the Million protest in central Jerusalem on Sept. 4. requested that all the ucts are several percentage Credit Edgar Asher/ISRANET city’s Jesse Cohen neighborhood. Credit Edgar Asher/ISRANET points more expensive in inhabited tents be cleared by the start of the Jewish New Year, at the end of this month. the Tel Aviv municipality from evacuating the protest tents Israel than they are in supermarkets abroad, even after shipThis request was given in a short written message to the until there has been more discussion. ping cost and local profits have been added. owner of each tent, together with a rose. The tent protests have caused bad feelings from some people living near the encampments because of the lack of cleanliness of the sites, the general noise, and the fire risk. In many cases, people who have joined the tent encampContinued from page 1 involving our youth,” said ments genuinely have problems to find and afford places to tzedakah project. Brady Shkolnick, Karsyn Mosow. “The kids love going to live. However, the present protest movement is largely Shkolnick, Tziporah Hamicksburg, Illyana camp and the entire Jewish expeorchestrated by left-wing activists who have been using the Hamicksburg, Dahlia Hamicksburg and Alex rience. The tzedakah project was plight of the homeless for political gain. Many tents were Murray joined Hill and parents Marc Shkolnick another way for Jewish youth to erected and used during part of the day, while at night the and Nanci Hamicksburg to work at the memoriparticipate in a worthwhile occupant went off to his home for a good night’s sleep. al. “They weeded, trimmed bushes, swept, and activity.” Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said that after almost two polished and straightened Holocaust survivor The memorial is supported and months it is time to clean the city’s streets and return them bricks,” Hill explained. “Their efforts left the maintained by the Heartland to their previous condition. “Public areas should not be memorial in very good shape and ready to Holocaust Educational Fund, taken over in this way,” Huldai said. 402.334.6459; educational and receive school classes and other visitors as we On Sept. 8 about one hundred protestors, led by mainly community programming is move into the school season.” Two volunteers Karsyn Shkolnick left-wing activists and some Tel Aviv council members, provided by the Institute for While Hill often provides tours at the memoand Dahlia Hamicksburg working at assembled several tents near the entrance to city hall and Holocaust Education, 402-334rial, others visit the memorial on their own. A the Wall of Remembrance. demanded the resignation of the Tel Aviv Mayor. At the 6576. If you would like to volunself-tour brochure is available at the site; as part same time eggs and flowers were thrown at the entrance to of their project, the campers took copies to review in order teer at the memorial or are interested in a tour, call Hill at the building. The police were called in to maintain order and to suggest improvements. 402.420.0602 or email Garyhill@cega.com. several arrests were made. Leaders of the protest movement “The Jewish Federation of Lincoln is very focused on managed to obtain a court injunction to temporarily stop
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Q. Who wins? A. Everybody who learns more about the bible A. and our heritage. Q. Where and when? A. At the JCC, Tuesday, A. December 7, 2011, 7 p.m. Q. How to enter? A. Submit entry to the B’nai B’rith office A. at the JCC by November 9, 2011. Q. Can you practice before the quiz? A. Practice sessions will be scheduled and A. sample questions will be given.
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4 | The Jewish Press | September 16, 2011
Temple Israel’s Adult Education opportunities by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator A blend of nationally renown scholars and diverse aspects of Jewish life including traditional text study, book reviews, a tour of Jewish Omaha, baking, art, and movies -- even Mahjongg -- highlight this year’s adult education curriculum sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning at Temple Israel. Three scholars headline the year. They are biblical archaeologist Rabbi Richard Freund who will be the guest speaker at Shabbat worship services on Nov. 11; author and speaker Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Dec. 9-11; and Rabbi Richard Freund author, teacher, and religious iconoclast Rabbi Steve Greenberg, March 30 - April 1. Freund, director of the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford, is internationally known for his work in archaeology in Israel, biblical studies, Jewish ethics, and philosophy. He’ll be talking at Temple Israel about how he connected the Lost City of Atlantis to Spain and the Straits of Gibraltar, which was chronicled on the National Geographic channel in the film Finding Atlantis. Rabbi Telushkin, said Temple Israel’s Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, “is an outstanding Jewish scholar of our generation. An author of many Jewish books on a variety of subjects that help Jews understand the relevance of their lives, Rabbi Telushkin’s presentations are flawless.” While at Temple Israel, Rabbi Telushkin will focus on words used in public and private, revealing their tremendous power to shape relationships and turn every exchange into an opportunity. He’ll also present a how-to guide on leading a decent, kind, and honest life in a morally complicated world. Speaking to the major ethical issues of our time, he’ll offer wise and easily accessed teachings that can be put into immediate practice. At a brunch-and-learn to conclude his weekend at Temple Israel, Rabbi Telushkin will discuss “The 50 Best Jewish Jokes, and What They Tell Us about the Human Condition.” In March, Rabbi Steve Greenberg will share his personal story, as portrayed in the film, The Trembling Before God, about his own journey on behalf of gay and lesbian inclusion in the Jewish community. He’ll also offer readings of traditional Jewish texts, keeping in mind that Judaism is both loving and accepting and welcomes difficult but essential questioning. “All of us experience tensions within Judaism,” said Rabbi Eric Linder of Temple Israel. “Rabbi Greenberg, as an observant, Orthodox rabbi, will share his insights and help us deal with our own struggles.” Jeremy Wright, chair of Temple Israel’s Adult Education Committee, commented that “this year, we are very excited to have such a wide range of topics and very engaging speakers. Rabbi Telushkin is a favorite here in Omaha -- a scholar with warmth and a great sense of humor.” Wright added,
“We are really lucky here in Omaha to have such a close relationship with an ongoing archaeological dig in Israel, and it’s great that we can have Rabbi Freund come to Temple.” “As a new member of the Adult Education Committee,” Jessica Cohn said she’s “excited about the diverse array of
Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
educational opportunities that are being offered. The events and speakers will undoubtedly be thought provoking and will open the door for discussion and growth. I’m hopeful individuals of both the Jewish community and the greater Omaha community will participate in the events developed by the committee.” In addition to the scholars, Cantor Wendy Shermet will explore everyday Jewish life in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with Thursday morning’s adult study group from Oct. 27 to Dec. 22. The topic, “Edith Stein and the World She Lived In,” will analyze her influence on the women of her time and her growing influence in the intellectual and philosophical circles around the world. Rabbi Azriel will use ancient Jewish text to provide answers to questions about modern Jewish living. He’ll be with the adult learners from Jan. 12 to March 15 as they examine responsa that reveal a broad consensus on Jewish thinking on issues such as life cycle rituals, medical and business ethics. From March 22 to May 24, Rabbi Linder will steer the adult learners as they look at what Jewish tradition says about the normal moments in life. Besides moments such as standing on Mt. Sinai receiving the Torah, falling in love, and having a baby, can everyday moments be holy? Can we have a relationship with God at the grocery store? Can we deepen our spirituality while watching TV? Join the group for “God Was in this Place, and I Did Not Know.” Every Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m., followed by worship services at 10:30 a.m., the clergy also lead a conversation on the Torah portion of the week. Sunday mornings at 10:30 at Temple Israel offer another opportunity for learning on topics such as “How to Ask for and Grant Forgiveness,” the value of personal writings in the process of self-examination and tshuvah at “Write or You’re Wrong,” challah baking, and a tour of Omaha’s historic Jewish past on a guided tour by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, and a visit to Omaha’s Hindu Temple. Speakers such as the Jewish Federation’s Scholar-inResidence Guy Matalon will guide a study of the classic code of Jewish law compiled by Moses Maimonides as well as an examination of the ethical underpinnings of the law. A panel
New family service and tot program at Beth El by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Experiencing the High Holidays at Beth El will truly be a family affair this year, thanks to two innovative and kidfriendly services offered by the synagogue. Congregants of all ages will be treated to an exciting, new family service, led by Rabbi Steven Abraham, Education Director Judy Rubin, teacher Eadie Tsabari and members of the USY youth group, on both days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the synagogue’s West Court. According to Rabbi Abraham, this creative new service will incorporate traditional liturgy, as well as storytelling, creative movement, discussions and songs and prayers. There is no charge to attend the service and registration is not required. “This new family service will provide families with an avenue to experience the High Holy Days together,” he said. “It will be a fun, fast-paced service that will rely heavily on the participation of and interaction with the families who attend. All are welcome to attend -- not just young families with children -- as we hope to create an atmosphere of learning through participation and discussion.” Beth El Program Director Margie Gutnik added that, “We’re very excited to offer this service, which promises to be meaningful, relevant and enjoyable. It is open to everyone, but is geared to families with children in kindergarten
through seventh grades.” She also noted that kindergartners and first graders must be accompanied by an adult; all other children are encouraged to attend with family members. For the third year, Beth El is also offering a High Holidays service especially for families with children ages three to five. Led by “Miss Patty” Nogg, the longtime leader of the synagogue’s Tot Shabbat program, this fun-filled program will take place on both the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the chapel. During this special tot service, the joy of the holidays will be shared through songs, stories and interactive activities for youngsters, Gutnik said, adding, “You’re never too young to enjoy the holidays, and who better to provide a fun, festive learning atmosphere for little ones than Miss Patty?” There is no charge to attend the tot service, she said, but each child must be accompanied by an adult. In addition, for planning purposes, children must be registered for this service, she said. Reservations are needed by Sept. 20 and may be made by sending registration forms to the synagogue, 14506 California St., Omaha NE 68154. For more information about all High Holidays programming, contact Gutnik in the synagogue office, 402.492.8550, or at programming@bethel-omaha.org.
from the New School of New York will ask how literature and history open doors, erase boundaries, and address the needs of secular Jews to discover or recover their Jewish heritage. Ron Brodkey, who also sits on the Adult Education Committee, said he hopes the variety of this year’s speakers “will attract more of our congregation at various age levels.” Susan Rothholz, a member of the Committee, is “especially excited about events planned for Wednesday evenings. Though the primary audience for these events is the Family School adults, everyone can attend any of them,” she pointed out. Starting at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday evenings feature topics such as “A Jewish Super Hero Repents,” when the Fantastic Four’s “The Thing” discusses his Jewish past and yearns for tshuva for his sins. An acclaimed Israeli film, Brothers, follows the journey of siblings, reflecting the sometimes stark divide between secular and religious Israelis and resonating on what it means to live in the Diaspora and living every day in Israel. Wednesday night speakers include Sally Frank, a lawyer and Drake University professor, who will discuss allegations that Eve was ignorant and easily duped into eating an apple by a wily serpent. Is she responsible for the downfall of humanity? Rabbi Linder will share stories and examples of the power of one specific Hebrew word per week. A casual “Coffee with the Clergy” will warm up some chilly evenings this winter, and members of the Omaha community will talk about their experiences as Israeli citizens. Other speakers will be University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Professor Gary Groff who will teach a course comparing Judaism to the history, ritual, and modern practice of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Dr. Matalon returns to explore “Jewish Law Concerning Building a Synagogue,” and Curtis Hutt, a professor of Religious Studies at UNO, will probe ethical thought and respect for others in the works of Edith Stein, Emmanuel Levinas, and Hannah Arendt. Jack Becker, executive director of Joslyn Art Museum, will talk about 20th century artists and designers and works of contemporary Jewish ceremonial art. In a light-hearted yet moving portrait, “Mahjongg: The Tiles that Bind” will depict the lives of the Asian and the Jewish-American women who play this popular game. “In past years, we who were not a part of Family School, were hesitant to attend the Wednesday night classes,” explained Rothholz. “But please know that all are invited,” she emphasized. “There’s a growing audience of adult learners,” mentioned Wendy Goldberg, program director. “We filled the room several times last year and are confident this year’s line-up is even better.” “I’m proud of the way our Adult Education Committee has always worked to bring speakers and subjects that are relevant, challenging, and enticing to our congregation, and the entire Omaha Jewish community,” said Silvia Roffman. “Behind every one of our decisions is the question: “How does this speaker and subject reflect Hermene Zweiback’s vision of expanding Jewish knowledge to adults to enrich, expand, and nurture their lives and souls. This upcoming year’s schedule is a great example of how we have continued this wonderful gift. Take advantage of it; expand your universe!” she emphasized. Other members of the committee are Paul Rabinovitz, Education Council chair; Phyllis Glazer, Scott Goodman, Michael Halsted, Angie Krieger, Speedy and Debbi Zweiback, and Rabbi Linder. Temple Israel members have received a brochure in the mail listing the dates, times, and fees (if applicable) for these classes. Please call or send an email to Wendy Goldberg: 402.556.6536 or wgoldberg@templeisraelomaha.com to register for any class.
Births Lindsey and Blaine Westervelt announce the July 28 birth of their daughter, Anna Elise. Grandparents are Penny and Jim Sophir, and Diane and Jim Westervelt of Council Bluffs. Great-grandparents are Dorothy and Lyle Christoffersen of Audubon, IA, and the late Audrey and Al Sophir, May and George Wilson, and Helen and Joseph Westervelt of New Jersey. Rachel and Edward Winthrop of Minneapolis, MN announce the Aug. 25 birth of their son, Noah Daniel. He is named for his great-grandparents Mabel and David Katskee. Grandparents are Sindie and Jerry Katskee, and Sonia and Stephen Winthrop of Minneapolis, MN. Great-grandparents are Lt. Col. I.J. Harris USAF Ret. of San Diego, CA, and Reva Winthrop of Minneapolis, MN.
September 16, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 5
What’s trending with Beth Israel? by BETH COHEN Executive Director, Beth Israel Synagogue Harnessing the power of social media, the topic of a weekly class at Beth Israel Synagogue is a result of what is trending on Rabbi Jonathan Gross’s Twitter feed. The class takes place on Shabbat afternoon each week, one hour before the scheduled Minchah service. “For a number of years now, I have been using social media to communicate with friends and congregants,” explains Rabbi Gross. “About a year ago, I was asked a question by a congregant about the parshah and I did not know the answer so I posted it on Facebook. Within an hour, I received 20 comments from different friends, including some esteemed Rabbis and scholars. I realized that not only did I benefit from these comments, so did my 1500 friends who could also view the comments. So I started regularly posting parshah questions on Facebook and it generated interesting discussions every week. I began to incorporate the on-line discussions into my sermons on Shabbat.” Over the summer, Rabbi Gross started tweeting. Anyone can follow Rabbi Gross on Twitter from either a computer or their smart phone. To get started, simply go to www.twitter.com on your computer or download the free Twitter app to your phone. Either way, in a matter of minutes, you can have your account set up and start following Rabbi Gross, @jon_gross. Alternatively, you can also follow Rabbi Gross’s Twitter feed via the Beth Israel Synagogue website, www. OrthodoxOmaha .org, or by friending Rabbi Gross on Facebook. Rabbi Gross was introduced to Twitter by his friend, Brett Atlas. “I’d been following Rabbi Gross on Facebook and he’s got such interesting things to say,” explains Atlas. “I thought that the more open environment of Twitter would reach a larger audience rather than Facebook which is limited just to Rabbi
Gross’s friends.” Rabbi Gross uses Twitter to introduce new and original content to the weekly parshah discussion. For instance, Parshat Tazria and Metzora talk about the negative consequences of lashon harah -- evil speech -about another person. That week, Rabbi Gross went on a lashon harah fast -absolutely no negative speech, either speaking or listening, about anyone for an entire week. He gave daily updates to let people know how his efforts to intensely watch his speech affected him. Over the course of the week, he received over a hundred unique comments plus people who called and emailed to let him know that they were following. “People told me that they were inspired by the project,” says Rabbi Gross, “but really they inspired me as their comments of support motivated me to accomplish this ambitious goal.” Rabbi Gross’s newest experiment in his use of social media are “Flash Mob Torah.” Rabbi explains, “Periodically, when I see that I have an opening in my schedule during the day, I take the opportunity to do a little Torah study. I use Twitter to advertise where I will be and what I will be learning. Anyone is welcome to join me. I’m always prepared to just learn on my own, but, so far, I’ve always been joined by others who follow me on Twitter.” Rabbi Gross further explains his excitement about his Twitter presence, “The Torah tells us that we should meditate on the Torah day and night, at all times, wherever we are. Since I started using social media for the parshah, I have found that I am not only thinking about the parshah more, but I am incorporating the teachings of the Torah more often into my daily life. There are many negative aspects to the internet in general and social media in particular, so each of us has to be creative and figure out ways to use the gifts that technology gives us to enhance our lives and the lives of others in a positive way.”
Beth El gets ready for a picture-perfect weekend by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Members of Beth El’s 20th anniversary committee met recently to finalize plans for “Preserving Our Past... Celebrating Our Future,” this weekend’s events cele-
brating the synagogue’s 20th year in its current home. Surrounding one of the commemorative photo collages that will be on display during the celebration are committee members, standing, Sandy Passer,
left, Jeff Passer, Debbie Roitstein, Bruce Friedlander, Patty Nogg, Susan FellmanWitkowski, Lloyd Roitstein and Lorrie Katelman; kneeling in front, Pam Friedlander, left, and Carol Parsow. Not pictured: Cheryl and Ron Cooper, Julie and Eric Phillips, Steve Nogg, Alan Parsow, Hollie and Glen Fineman, and Gary Katelman. The entire community is invited to attend the festivities which begin this Friday during a special 6 p.m. Shabbat service and a wine and cheese reception. The celebration continues this Sunday, from 2-4 p.m., as community members meet at Beth El’s former home, 119 S. 49th Ave., to take tours of the building, which now houses Holland Basham Architects. (Parking will be available in the lot just north of the building; street parking will also be available.)
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.
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by BETH COHEN Executive Director, Beth Israel Synagogue The Yamim Noraim, Days of Awe, will soon be upon us. “The yamim noraim have the complicated dual theme of being days of trepidation as well as celebration,” explains Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel. “Everyone knows about the trepidation, but unfortunately the celebration aspect of the holidays is sometimes neglected. At Beth Israel, we emphasize the celebration with joyful services and lively singing.” In order to prepare to sing along during High Holiday services, consider purchasing a copy of Beth Israel’s CD, In Your Mouth and In Your Heart. The CD features Beth Israel’s renowned Chazzan, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, and many congregants singing the music of the High Holiday services. Rabbi Gross comments: “The CD is a great way to help get prepared for the holiday services. The more familiar you are with the tunes and the meaning of what is being sung, the more you will appreciate Rabbi Dembitzer’s impassioned singing on yom tov.” Copies of the CD are available in the synagogue office at a cost of $18 each. On another note in preparing for the Holidays, sets of a Lulav and an Etrog for Sukkot celebrations may be ordered through Beth Israel for $48 per set. Orders must be placed with the synagogue office by Tuesday, Sept. 27. As is the custom, Rabbi Gross will lead Kever Avot services at three cemeteries before Rosh Hashanah. Services will be held on Sunday, Sept. 25. The schedule includes services at 11 a.m. at Golden Hill Cemetery, 5025 North 42nd Street; noon at Beth Israel/Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 78th and Crown Point; and 1 p.m. at Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol/Fisher Farms Cemetery, 8900 South 42nd Street. Please contact the synagogue office for directions to the cemeteries. On both days of Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 29 and 30, morning services begin at 8 a.m., Torah reading at 9:30 a.m. The sermon will be given at approximately 10 a.m. each day, followed by the Shofar Service.
The Fast of Gedaliah is on Sunday, Oct. 2. The fast begins at 6:01 a.m. and ends at 7:38 p.m. The fast commemorates the tragic events that led to the end of the last semblance of Jewish sovereignty after the First Temple’s destruction. Tashlich, meaning to cast away, is the widely accepted custom for Jews to gather near a body of water during the High Holiday season for a service that includes reciting psalms and prayers asking for forgiveness of God for our sins. Many people have the custom also of throwing breadcrumbs into the water as a concrete expression of their desire to be free of their sins. Beth Israel’s Tashlich Service will take place on Monday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at Trendwood Park, 132nd and Pacific Streets. Following the Tashlich Service, there will be a dinner and siyum (completion) at Beth Israel. This year, Beth Israel embarked on the Great Mishnah Initiative. Throughout the year, members of our community jointly completed dozens of sections of Mishnah together in learning groups and as individuals. At the Tashlich Dinner, we will have a siyum honoring all those who participated in the initiative and celebrating the completion of the learning project. Dinner costs $10 for adults and $5 for children, and reservations are needed by Sept. 26. Erev Yom Kippur is on Friday, Oct. 7. Kol Nidre is at 7 p.m. Services on Yom Kippur day, Saturday, Oct. 8, begin at 8 a.m. The Torah Reading is at 9:30 a.m. The sermon will be at 10 a.m., followed by the Yizkor service. Minchah is at 5:15 p.m., Neilah is at 6:30 p.m. and the fast ends at 7:35 p.m. A dinner to break the fast will be held at the synagogue. Dinner costs $8 for adults and is free for children ages 12 and younger. Please make your reservation for the meal with the synagogue office. For more information about High Holiday observances at Beth Israel, to order a High Holiday CD or to make meal reservations, contact the synagogue office at 402-556-6288 or BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org.
High Holidays at Beth El 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 time of celebration, spiritual inventory and new beginnings. 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. On Saturday, Sept. 24, the congregation will celebrate Selihot, as well as the formal installation of its new assistant rabbi, Steven Abraham. The evening will begin with a 9:30 p.m. dessert reception, followed by Havdalah at 10 p.m., led by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Abraham and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. Rabbi Abraham’s installation ceremony will follow Havdalah; then at 10:45 p.m., attendees will welcome the coming High Holidays during the poignant and beautiful Selihot service. The synagogue’s celebration of Rosh Hashanah will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 28, with 6 p.m. Ma’ariv services; the next day, services will be held in the sanctuary at 9 a.m.; the alternative service will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the social hall, and the congregation’s new Family Service -- scheduled for both mornings of Rosh Hashanah -- will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tashlich will take place at 4:45 p.m. and Minha/Ma’ariv will follow at 6 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 30, services will begin at 9 a.m. That evening, Shabbat Shuvah will be celebrated during 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services, as well as during services the next day at 9:30 a.m. and 6:55 p.m. As in past years, Beth El is once again honored to welcome renowned scholar and liturgist Rabbi Jules Harlow, who will help to lead 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. Rabbi Harlow will lead the alternative service during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the social hall. He will also speak during services on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, and present a D’var Torah in the sanctuary during Kol Nidre services. The congregation’s observance of Yom Kippur begins on Friday, Oct. 7, with Kol Nidre at 6:55 p.m. The following morning, traditional services will be held in the sanctuary at 9 a.m.; the alternative service at 9:45 a.m., and the family service at 10:30 a.m. As a special treat, Rabbi Harlow will lead a thought-provoking study session at 4:35 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to join in the conversation. The final service of the holiday will be Minha-Ne’ilah, beginning at 5:35 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 7:10 p.m.; all participants will meet in the chapel at 6:50 p.m. The end of Yom Kippur will be marked by the traditional congregational blowing of shofars at the conclusion of Ne’ilah (around 7:20 p.m.). Any congregants wishing to participate in this ritual are encouraged to contact Rabbi Levin in the synagogue office, 402.492.8550, or at rabbilevin@bethelomaha.org. 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. Please join the Beth El family for the first festive celebrations of 5772.
In the news The Nebraska Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) will host its 5th Annual Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Lake Zorinsky, 156th and F Streets. Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center and Midwest GYN Oncology are major sponsors of the event. Registration for the walk opens at 7:30 a.m., with opening remarks at 9 a.m., followed by the start of the walk at 9:15 a.m. For more information, please visit www.ovarian.org/ walks or call 402.304.5826. (402) 553-0800 | (888) 782-4338 WWW.OMAHAPLAYHOUSE.ORG sponsors:
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Nebraska/Iowa flood assistance: Home-owners, renters and business owners affected by flooding between May 24, 2011 and Aug. 1, 2011 should register for FEMA disaster assistance now. There are four ways to do so: online at
www.DisasterAssistance.gov; by smartphone at m.fema. gov; by phone: 1.800.621.3362, or by calling 1.800.462.7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. Please have the following information available when you call: 2 reliable phone numbers where you can be reached, address of damaged property, social security number, current mailing address, brief description of the damage, and insurance information. Stan Lipsey will be inducted as a member of the Omaha Central High School Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 6. The 13th Hall of Fame dinner begins at 6 p.m. in the Central High School courtyard. The induction ceremony is free and open to the public, and will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. For more information, please call 402.556.1996
September 16, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 7
Temple Israel responds to Shofar’s call by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator At Temple Israel, members are preparing for the High Holidays and performing some “warm-up” work necessary before gathering on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. An online art project implores the Jewish world to ask itself: “What does the shofar call you to do?” “We are thrilled with the response from members and people around the country,” said Program Director Wendy Goldberg, “and we encourage everyone in the Jewish community to submit an answer!” S’lichot, itself a preparation for the High Holidays, is part of the 40 days of moving forward, forgiving, healing, and growing that lead up to the High Holidays. Observed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, S’lichot will begin with Havdalah and an animated film to stimulate conversation regarding forgiveness and repentance, both themes of S’lichot. During the worship service, Cantor Wendy Shermet will lead the congregation in prayers from areas of the Jewish world including Israel, Germany, America, and the Mediterranean basin. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel and Rabbi Eric Linder will read texts or kavanot. On Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, Sept. 28, the 7:30 p.m. worship service will highlight “What Does the Shofar Call You to Do?” the challenge which has included discussions with the clergy, a movie, music, a healing service, delivering honey cakes to older members of the congregation and numerous other reflective acts to which Temple Israel congregants have been responding. The clergy, the Kol Rina Choir, and the Omaha Temple Youth Group will read the service which will emphasize music, communal singing, and modern approaches to the theological themes of Rosh Hashanah. On Thursday, Sept. 29, a worship service at 9 a.m., led by the clergy, will emphasize simple songs and holiday stories to introduce the High Holidays to preschool children attending with their families. At the same time, a children’s service will include a Torah reading, a High Holiday Day story-sermon, and the blowing of the shofar. This service is appropriate for families with children in kindergarten through third grade. Beginning at 10:15 a.m. congregants will gather to reflect on their actions and begin to make amends with each other and God while asking to be inscribed in the Book of Life. John Waldbaum, Building Coordinating Committee chair, will give a presentation about the new building project immediately following the morning service. Sitter service for children, ages two to ten, will be available on Erev and during the morning on Rosh Hashanah. Reservations are required. Please contact the Temple Israel office (402-556-6536 or lsherrod@templeisraelomaha .com) to sign up your children. On Shabbat Shuva, Friday, Sept. 30, the 6 p.m. worship service will consider “Why Does Rosh Hashanah Come
Before Yom Kippur?” Tashlich, the following morning, will follow the 10:30 a.m. Shabbat worship service on Saturday, Oct. 1. Congregants will gather with the clergy at the Elmwood Park lagoon for the opportunity to symbolically throw their transgressions into the water and begin the year afresh. The ritual is a physical reminder of the human effort to cast away one’s sins and represents the hope that casting off misdeeds will lead to change. A memorial service at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Schrager Chapel at the Temple Israel Cemetery, 6412 North 42nd Street, will be a time to recall and honor the memory of those who inspired us to live more fully in the future. Erev Yom Kippur, Friday, Oct. 7, will begin with the poignant melody of Kol Nidre at 7:30 p.m. On Yom Kippur, Saturday, Oct. 8, a tot service begins at 9 a.m. introducing children to the High Holidays with simple songs and stories. At the same time, a participatory children’s service for families with their kindergartners through third graders will include a Torah reading and a High Holiday story-sermon. A solemn worship service for the congregation, beginning at 10:15 a.m., will be devoted to communal repentance for sins committed over the previous year. At 12:30 p.m., the clergy will participate in poetry and inspiring readings read by lay leaders during a contemplative, quiet, thought-provoking interlude. Clergy will also partake in “The Shofar Calls You to Tell a Story” which will also begin at 12:30 p.m. Interviewers will record personal stories congregants share about justice, study, community, and the High Holidays among others. Moments of Remembrance, a preparation for yizkor, that brings the comfort of others who have lost someone significant in their lives, begins at 2 p.m. and will be led by Marla Cohen, MS. She’ll help participants share meaningful memories of people they mourn. All are welcome to attend and bring a photograph or memento that helps convey the
essence of those who are mourned. Cantor Shermet will lead an hour of recorded introspective High Holiday music in the sanctuary at 2 p.m. A conversation between members of the congregation and clergy starts at 3 p.m. The discussion will reflect on the message of the morning Yom Kippur sermon. The afternoon service continues at 3:30 p.m. with the reading of the Book of Jonah, recounting the importance of repentance and prayer. That day concludes with yizkor, Ne’ilah, closing the gate as we ask to be sealed in the Book of Life, the final blast of the shofar, and havdalah. Sitter service will be available on Kol Nidre, for the Yom Kippur 10:15 a.m. service, and the afternoon service that begins at 3:30 p.m. Sign language interpretation will be provided at both the evening and morning services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Overflow parking will be available at the Omaha Community Playhouse and at First United Methodist Church. As has been the tradition at Temple Israel for years, grocery bags will be distributed on Rosh Hashanah to be returned filled on Yom Kippur with ten pounds of non-perishable food for the Omaha Food Bank. Members are also being urged to make a $10 donation to Together, Inc. and spend ten minutes of their time raising awareness about the growing epidemic in our community of hunger and homelessness. In addition, a reminder attached to the sacks will urge congregants to sign up on the Donor Registry of Nebraska which coordinates with the Nebraska Organ Recovery System to recover and distribute life-saving organs and tissue for transplant. As the congregation participates in the shofar’s call to 40 practical and spiritual acts prior to the High Holidays and concludes with Temple Israel’s practice of feeding and caring for others during the fast of Yom Kippur, it is hoped that it will be a revitalized, invigorated, and meaningful New Year.
Take me out to the ballgame Mainstreeters had an enjoyable evening at the last Storm Chasers game of the season at the new Werner Stadium with fireworks to end the night. Harry and Doris Alloy, left, Jack and Maxine Noodell, Jim and Esther Wax, Rosalie Greenspan and Art and Lori Stein.
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Golems are big in children’s literature by MARJORIE INGALL NEW YORK (Tablet Magazine) -- We’ve always loved golems. The notion of a soulless husk suddenly given life is deliciously resonant. First there was Adam, formed from dust and given breath by God. Then there were a thousand variants, from the monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to the manic cleaning implements that Mickey Mouse animated but failed to control in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice to the computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The idea of a powerful creature being given consciousness, then behaving in unpredictable ways, is thrilling. It’s also troubling. The legend of the Golem of Prague involves the 16th-century Maharal, also known as Judah Loew, a powerful rabbi who created a golem (the word derives from the Hebrew for unshaped form) to defend the ghetto from pogroms. In the tale’s many versions — a 19thcentury German novel, short books by Elie Wiesel and Francine Prose, golem-themed episodes of The X-Files and The Simpsons -- the golem often winds up attacking its maker, becoming more vicious than intended or devastated by its own clay heart. Given the folkloric, timeless nature of the tale, it’s no wonder it has inspired so many children’s books. This year’s entry, The Golem’s Latkes by Eric Kimmel, illustrated by Aaron Jasinski, is a cartoony, not-very-scary version of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in which a lazy maid delegates the potato pancake-making to a golem, leading to a giant interfaith party to which the emperor brings applesauce. It’ll be out in a couple of months and would, of course, make a delightful holiday gift. However, I’m drawn to the darker versions of the tale. David Wisniewski’s Golem, which won the Caldecott Medal for the best illustrated children’s book of 1997, is really, really scary. (Any book that explains blood libel is not for the youngest kids.) The layered, paper-cut illustrations are amazing, and the story emphasizes the golem’s nascent humanity. The creature cannot control its anger, but also loves sunrises and flowers. After an explosion of rage, it begs the man it thinks of as its father: “Please! Please let me live! I did all that you asked of me! Life is so... precious... to me!” Rabbi Judah returns him to clay anyway, with the (comforting?) observation that the golem won’t remember anything about being alive. For middle-grade readers, there is 2009’s Clay Man: The Golem of Prague by Irene N. Watts, illustrated by Kathryn E. Shoemaker. This one draws a pretty explicit Holocaust parallel (the Jews have to wear yellow circles on their clothing), and the soft pencil illustrations have a gentle, mournful quality. Other excellent middle-grade versions are Barbara Rogasky’s 1996 The Golem, with ominous, deep-toned illustrations by the late four-time Caldecott winner Trina Schart Hyman (it’s out of print but still readily available online), and I.B. Singer’s The Golem, in which the pathetic golem falls in love, featuring soft watercolors by another Caldecott rock star, the brilliant Uri Shulevitz. But it’s in the young-adult category that I think the golem story achieves the most nuance. Teens love horror: Conventional wisdom has it that monsters represent the untamed id of adolescence, the inability to control one’s own urges. Vampires, a staple in young-adult lit, are all about longing and sometimes sublimated sexuality; werewolves
are pure animalistic brutality; fallen angels reflect fears about the consequences of not being perfect; zombies represent brainless conformity. The golem fits in perfectly. Clay, the 2007 novel by the acclaimed British writer David Almond, is perhaps the most literary of young-adult golem books. In Clay, an altar boy in
Young readers can turn to that ancient Jewish monster, the golem, for meaningful meditations on attraction, power, and Credit: Michael Jones/Flickr body. a faded coal-mining town meets a mysterious newcomer who may have the power to create life from earth. Almond’s perspective is Catholic, but his biblical and moral themes are very familiar to Jews, and the book is clearly based on the golem story. Davie, the protagonist, wrestles with notions of good and evil, the desire to create and the power to destroy, and the way attraction and repulsion can be mixed. There are themes about the end of innocence, the expulsion from paradise, forgiveness and redemption, and the responsibilities of the artist. The Northern English dialect can be challenging, but this is a powerful, very creepy and haunting book. On the other end of the literary spectrum is Swoon, a 2010 novel by Nina Malkin. This is your classic girl-meets-boywho-inhabits-a-golem-that-girl-has-created story. It is sexy, sexy cheese. The book’s heroine is Dice (short for Candice) and the hot, nasty golem is Sin (no, really -- short for Sinclair). Do not confuse Dice or Sin with the other Gossip Girl-esque characters, Pen, Marsh, Gel, Crane, Doll, Con, Duck and Boz, though everybody does tons of drugs and has tons of sex. Turns out, as things so often do, that Sin has been seeking a body to inhabit so he can return to the Connecticut town where he was murdered a couple hundred years earlier and take revenge on the descendants of his torturers. Sin is horrid to Dice, but she loves him anyway because he’s a hot golem. Malkin keeps using the word “golem” (along with “dust-boy” and “dirt devil”), but Swoon differs from the classic golem tale in that Sin exists independently of a body; Dice has only provided a receptacle for his angry soul. In that way it’s really more of a dybbuk story. A sexy, cheesy dybbuk story. I loved the heartbreaking golem in Storm Thief by Chris
Wooding (2006), and I think teenage fans of post-apocalyptic and dystopian fantasy will, too. After being caught in a “probability storm,” a kind of violent ripple of atmosphere that unpredictably changes things in its wake, the golem has been separated from his maker. He has only flashes of memory of being made, and he desperately wants to know who he is and what his purpose is. The golem is prone to flashes of rage, but he also wants to love and help. (He’s a cross between Frankenstein’s monster and Wolverine.) Unlike Swoon, which is a story of selfishness, Storm Thief is all about sacrifice. The golem is a secondary character, but he’s the one who stuck with me. Maybe because I’m a parent; we understand sacrifice. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (2011), by Catherynne M. Valente, is pretty florid; I wanted to yank out half the adjectives and stomp on them like ants. But among all the over-the-top fairies, marids, gnomes, changelings, witches, selkies, hippogriffs and djinn, there’s a female golem made of soap. I loved her. “Her face was a deep olive-y green castile, her hair a rich and oily Marseille, streaked with lime peels. Her body was patchwork: here strawberry soap with bits of red fruit showing through, there saffron and sandalwood, orange and brown. ... Her eyes were two piercing, faceted slivers of soapstone. On her brow someone had written TRUTH in the kind of handwriting teachers always have: clear and curling and lovely.” This golem, too, longs for her absent maker. Despite her grief, she lives to serve. She cleanses the book’s heroine of the dust of her journey, breaking off her own fingers with a snap to throw into different baths -- baths that give courage, renew wishes, foster luck. This rare female golem wants to nurture, not destroy. Unlike most golems, she can speak (when she does, soap bubbles escape her lips). She’s powerless but not voiceless: Many young girls, pouring out their hearts in diaries and to friends, can understand that duality. She’s all yearning; again, girls can understand that feeling all too well. She’s also the only completely kind female figure in a fairyland full of men and boys and mean girls. And like the tree in The Giving Tree, she disappears as she helps and helps and helps. A golem is a sturdy creature on which to hang a youngadult story. It works as a repository for every theme that speaks to teenagers: Who am I in the world? What powers do I have? Who can I trust? How do I create a separate existence from my parents’? How do I control my anger and manage my baser instincts? In many stories the golem is an overgrown child, an identity teenagers fight against and relate to simultaneously. In When Toys Come Alive, Lois Rostow Kuznets, a professor emeritus of children’s literature at San Diego State, discusses how toys can represent our concerns about technology. Kids today have even more understanding of the dangers of technology than their predecessors -- they grew up seeing the way gossip and bullying can spread through social media in the blink of a non-soapstone eye. Stuffed animals, unlike Facebook and Twitter, wait patiently for loving humans to come back. Perhaps the golem, made of earth and clay, represents a longing for a simpler, less networked, more easily turned-off past.
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September 16, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 9
Yael Naim in 2007 became the first Israeli soloist to have a Top 10 music hit in the United States, and four years later the star of the Paris-based musician continues to rise. Credit: Zoriah Moment: What is the story behind New Soul? Naim: It is about a period in my life when I was very desperate and sad. I discovered that I was making the wrong choices, making a lot of mistakes. I was very pretentious when I was younger and so at one point, my conclusion was that I needed to be less pretentious. Before, I used to think that I was an old soul, that I came to earth many times, that I knew everything about life. During the period in which I wrote this song, I came to the conclusion that I am completely new; I am a new soul, and I came to this world to learn about how to give and also about how to receive and how to function. The conclusion of the song is that after this life is over, I will feel like I still don’t really get it. It’s not a happy ending because there are still things I don’t understand. But that’s OK; it’s part of life and it doesn’t have to be heavy. Just accept that you need to learn new things and that things don’t have to be perfect. How did Apple discover New Soul? When the album was released in France, it was a really big success really quickly. And then for some reason the song got on the radio in Los Angeles, and the guy from the Apple agency heard it and decided to call the radio station to find out what artist it was. The rest is history (laughs). How did the song affect your career? It changed everything. Starting from the day it was released -- even before the U.S. commercial -- we started to be on the top of different charts. After a week it was No. 1 in many countries. It was amazing for us because we recorded everything in my small apartment in Paris with no budget, no record company, nothing. We worked for 2 1/2 years and there were a lot of ballads in Hebrew on the album that were totally not commercial. It was a huge present for us to have this tiny project be such a huge success. Where do you say you are from? I’m French and Israeli. I was born in Paris, but my parents moved to Israel, where I
grew up. My parents are Tunisian. But I don’t know Tunisia and I don’t speak the language. I just eat couscous sometimes. I feel most comfortable in Hebrew for reading, and in Hebrew and French for speaking. What was it like to move to Paris? In the beginning, in 2000, I felt very much out of place for a lot of reasons: the weather, I didn’t have friends and the mentality here is very different from the Israeli mentality. Then after four years, I think the minute I found myself musically, I found home. I found people who were close to my heart and I felt at home. I travel a lot to Israel, and now I feel like I have two homes. What does being Jewish mean to you? I’m Jewish and I am proud of what I am. But I’m not a religious person, even though I am spiritual. But it’s not related to any particular book. I see so many cultures that believe they have the only truth. I don’t feel this way. I take my Jewish background as more of a cultural thing and I love it. Has Jewish music influenced you? You can’t escape who you are, and I am Jewish and Israeli and French. Everything that I am gets into my music. For example, I love klezmer music and I love the songs that are sung in the synagogue. So yes, I’m sure it somehow gets into my music, but it’s not conscious. How about Israeli music? Only after I left Israel did I start to listen to Israeli music for the first time. Suddenly I was missing home desperately and started to listen to music that connected me. I listened to Israeli radio and started to collaborate with Israeli artists. Also, my Israeli boyfriend was leaving me at the time and so I started writing in Hebrew. Much of my first album was in Hebrew. Which musicians have influenced you? Joni Mitchell was very important. And the Beatles, because of the way they go in many styles and don’t have any limits in the creative process. And then there are artists like Nina Simone, whom I love, because she is very deep and she is somewhere between classical and jazz, which is my background. I love Herbie Hancock and folk music, and classical Indian and Bollywood music. Your music has been compared to that of Regina Spektor and Norah Jones. Do you agree? There is a generation of musicians who are kind of close to each other. Norah Jones is really soft and jazzy, which is not really my taste, but has some similar points. Regina Spektor plays the piano, has brown hair and wears similar clothes. We have feminine voices and a similar sensitivity and so maybe we’re seen as similar. Really, there are many differences. Your songs, even those in Hebrew, are very popular in France. How do you explain people listening to songs that they don’t understand? France is a country that has opened its doors to artists from all over the world. The African music scene here is very developed, as is the Arabic music scene. Also, take opera -- people don’t always understand the opera they are listening to. They just connect with the music, and for those who really want to know, they can check to see what it’s about. It’s not necessary to speak the language. What is She Was a Boy about? My first album was about separation and discovering that things have not happened as I wished. The second one is a happy period in my life. Something opened up. There is more energy in the music and more curiosity to discover the world. I started to learn about myself and realized that there are light sides, but also dark sides, and to accept this complexity inside myself and others. Musically, the first album had more folk influence, whereas the second has pop and New Orleans influence.
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by DAPHNA BERMAN (Moment Magazine) -- Yael Naim burst onto the international music scene when her 2007 single, New Soul, was handpicked by Apple for the MacBook Air’s debut commercial. The song, fresh off her first album, thrust the then-obscure 29-year-old artist into the limelight. When New Soul peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard charts, Naim became the first Israeli soloist to have a Top 10 music hit in the United States. Four years later, the star of the Paris-based musician continues to rise. Named Best Female Artist at this year’s Victoires de la Musique -- France’s equivalent of the Grammys -- her eclectic style, stunning vocals and lyrics of love and turmoil continue to capture worldwide attention. Moment’s Daphna Berman caught up with the singersongwriter while she was on break from her world tour to promote her new album, She Was a Boy.
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A new soul comes of age: An interview with Yael Naim
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10 | The Jewish Press | September 16, 2011
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by JILL BELMONT by Beth Israel Medical Center, the Karolinska Institute in Beth El Publicity Coordinator Stockholm, and Ben Gurion Medical Center in Beer Sheva. Beth El Synagogue will welcome Navah Harlow, founding Harlow says her overriding concern has been to humanize director of the Center for Ethics in Medicine at Beth Israel and personalize the hospital experience in a culturally senMedical Center in New York City, as its guest speaker dur- sitive manner. Her interest in and sensitivity to diverse cultures, as well as her fluency in five ing Shabbat services on Saturday, languages, have proven to be a Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m. Harlow will major asset in her work. explore Who Shall Live, Who Shall Harlow will be in Omaha with Die, Who Decides? Halachic her husband, Rabbi Jules Harlow, Dilemmas in Medical Ethics. Founding Editor of The Over the years, Harlow’s groundbreaking work in end-of-life care, Rabbinical Assembly, who will be medical advance directives, and helping to lead High Holiday the right to self-determination has services at Beth El. Of her upcombeen prominently featured in The ing presentation, Navah shared New York Times and professional that she will discuss “ethical issues journals both here and abroad, as that arise both at the beginning of life and at the end of life, and will well as on The Today Show, and confront potential limits of National Public Radio. She was patient autonomy and the right to instrumental in the establishment self-determination with regard to of the Jacob Perlow Hospice, the Navah Harlow with her husband, Rabbi Jules principles of halacha.” first hospice under Jewish auspices Harlow, will offer a special presentation about Noting that his congregation is in Manhattan. In addition, medical ethics and halacha during Shabbat mornlooking forward to the Oct. 1 through a research grant, she ing services at Beth El Synagogue. address, Beth El’s Rabbi developed a curriculum guide for medical residents, Speaking with Families of Seriously Ill Mordechai Levin remarked that, “We look forward to Patients, which was distributed to medical centers through- Navah’s presentation, and invite everyone in the community out the United States. For many years Harlow co-chaired to attend what is sure to be an interesting and thought-proThe International Congress of Ethics in Medicine, sponsored voking morning.”
Community, tzedaka and the globe
A Guy’s view GUY MATALON, Jewish Federation of Omaha Scholar in Residence There is a lot of talk about community and about community engagement, about community needs, and other important aspects of community that are at the core of tzedaka. I find that sometimes we skip a step: we don’t spend any time contemplating what the concept of community actually means. A community is a group of people (a social group) who live in a particular area (Omaha) who share a similar culture or historical heritage. And in some ways, this definition should suffice to answer my question. However, the above definition does not specify what exactly the shared culture or history is, and what people choose to do as a group. What makes a community is not simply that they share particular cultural traits, foods, or historical heritage. It is their decision to see themselves as partners as opposed to individuals. A community is a group of people with shared values, culture, history, who partner together to accomplish a goal. This concept of a community as a group of partners, each giving of themselves, each giving up some of his/her independence for the sake of achieving something, is deeply rooted in Judaism. The first goal of each community is to ensure the survival of the group. And once that is done at some level, the community begins to look at ways to make the community thrive. Survival or meeting the basic needs is first, followed by expansion of the mission to cover other important goals.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Andy Greenberg will describe his motivational, inspirational, and fascinating journey on Wednesday, Sept. 21, noon at the Blumkin Home. Toby Jurovics, Joslyn Art Museum's new Chief Curator and Richard and Mary Holland Curator of American Western Art, will discuss his new position and his work on Wednesday, Sept. 28, noon at the Blumkin Home. Jurovic is the former curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. An optional buffet lunch costs $10; beverage service is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
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Meeting the basic needs of the individuals who make up the group can be called mutual responsibility; at the core of this idea is tzedaka. Maimonides writes, “In the case of one who does not want to give tzedaka or who gives less than he should, a court should beat him with blows of chastisement until he gives what it is estimated he should. They should collect the money in his presence and take from him what he should have given, and they may pawn his property for tzedaka, even if it is on the eve of the Sabbath.”(Mishneh Torah, Laws of Gifts to the Poor 7:10.) Although quite harsh, what Maimonides is reflecting is the commitment Jewish law made to ensure the value of mutual responsibility. The dominant view in America today is very different. Charity or tzedaka is seen as an expression of altruism, and generosity. To quote Marla Braverman, “But the voluntary approach to philanthropy, which is by all accounts commendable, is a luxury the Jewish communities of the past could never afford. The question is, can Jews afford it now?” There are many Jews around the globe that cannot afford it now. They require meals; they require medical assistance and heat. Without our community’s support of the needs of Jews in the former Soviet Union, we would fail our own community. The mutual responsibility which is at the core of our community extends beyond our geographic area. We come together and partner to ensure our survival and to build a better future for ourselves as Jews. Part of our future is tied with the future of Jews throughout the world. In order for us to ensure our future, we should provide for the basic needs of Jews around the globe. From food and utilities subsidies in Latin America, to financial assistance to the Jewish community in Tunisia, our support not only strengthens them -- it shows us how much we are committed, how responsible we are to our partners around the world.
JEWISH WOMEN INTERNATIONAL Jewish Women International invites you to the annual Mah Jongg tournament on Sunday, Oct. 2, 12:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. To RSVP, send a donation of $18
per participant to Rosalie Greenspan, 8108 Howard Street, 68114. For additional information about this event, please call Rosalie at 402.391.1954 or Esther at 402.393.4442. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish teaches an optimistic vision that allows us to view the world with joy and hope. Come join us at the Blumkin Home, every Thursday in the board room, at 1 p.m., to reap “The Joys of Yiddish!” For information call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.
To order a gift subscription to the Press... Send a check for $17.50, made out to the Jewish Press and prorated for the year, to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. For more information on how to connect your out-of-town relatives and friends, call 402.334.6448.
September 16, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 11
For young European Jews, a week of unity, partying and romance by ALEX WEISLER Yet for all of Summer U’s success as a social event, the fesCHANIOTIS, Greece (JTA) -- It’s called Summer U, but tive elements can overshadow the more serious compomost of the more than 500 young Jews who attend the nents. The nightly parties with themes such as Facebook European Union of Jewish Students’ largest annual event and “red carpet” -- each with its own corresponding dress don’t come for the seminars. code -- were packed, while Packed three and four to a most workshops drew crowds room in two boxy white of about 30 at most. hotels in this speck of a beach After all, it’s not easy for a town on northeastern PowerPoint presentation on Greece’s Chalkidiki peninsuthe American Jewish commula, participants juggle worknity’s response to the shops, speakers and the most Palestinian statehood push to popular option -- straying compete with beach volleyfrom the program and headball. ing to the beach. “Of course it’s a lot of peoAttendees bond over cockple partying. What do you tails and nightly theme parwant from a mass of Jewish ties. Relationships blossom students?” said Andrea and, by week’s end, phone Gergely, who was elected at numbers have been the conference to be the next exchanged, Facebook photos Some of the 500 participants in the European Union of president of EUJS. tagged and reunion plans Jewish Students’ Summer U event reveling on the beach in Still, Gergely, who lives Greece, September 2011. Credit: Alex Weisler in Budapest and will start her made. For a Jewish Europe grappling with the challenges of term in January, says she is looking to diversify the seminars assimilation and intermarriage, Summer U is a success and add arts and crafts, yoga and sports tournaments to the story. It is known for producing more than a few marriages event’s schedule. over the years. Gergely hopes that a wider array of programming will “We have to be honest: If we don’t want to disappear, we appeal to Summer U participants, some of whom may be need to get married together,” said Deborah Abisror, the exec- looking for a middle ground between lectures and the utive director of EUJS. “And it’s just crazy -- it works for that.” beach. Deborah Teboul of Marseilles, in southern France, admits Participants, for the most part, seem pretty happy with she came to Summer U with a specific goal in mind. Summer U as an opportunity to socialize. “I won’t lie to you -- I wanted new friends and maybe the “Jewish marriage and friendship is one of the unofficial opportunity to meet some guy,” she said, smiling. “When goals of any Jewish organization,” said Aleksey Krasnitsky, a you’re my age, you can’t meet Jewish people unless you go to project manager with the Ukrainian Union of Jewish the synagogue every Saturday. It’s not easy.” Students and Kiev resident who has been coming to At a salsa class early in the Summer U week, Teboul Summer U for the past six years. “I’d be very happy if after danced with a Swiss man -- a fellow participant she says she’s Summer U we get the news of a Jewish marriage -- that’s the now “in a sort of relationship with.” most important thing, in my point of view.” Stories like hers are standard fare at Summer U, which ran In interviews about the conference, participants often from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4 and draws Jews aged 18 to 35. The would begin by discussing Summer U’s seminars and speakevent, sometimes more formally referred to as Summer ers, move on to speak about the importance of panUniversity, has been around since 1984. European Jewish friendship and then lower their voices, Abisror, who is from France, said the true focus of EUJS is almost conspiratorially, to discuss the relationships they on smaller events -- like a 50-person interfaith delegation came here to find. she led to Morocco last year. For Stephen Przyrowski, a Parisian attending his third EUJS, however, has come to depend on the infusion of Summer U, the emphasis that many participants place on funding and the raucous enthusiasm provided by Summer romance can be a little stressful. U. And the larger Jewish world is taking notice: the gather“You can see they put pressure on themselves, a lot of the ing receives financial support from a host of international men, especially,” he said. “They’re searching too hard for Jewish organizations. their soulmate.” In past years, the American Jewish Committee’s executive Illan Obadia, a Parisian information technology and director, David Harris, has shown up to address the gather- finance consultant who was attending his first Summer U, ing. This year the AJC sent two representatives in their early said he was not looking for a one-night stand. 20s to lead a pair of workshops and stay for the full week. “During the nights, several couples are created, and by the Harris’ assistant, Ellisa Sagor, said the experience of morning they are finished,” he said with a wry laugh. “If I attending the conference offers “a fuller picture of what can find a woman for my life, yes, but for one night? No.” European Jewry looks like today.” Still, Obadia is no cynic when it comes to Summer U. “They don’t look afraid. They don’t look timid,” she said. At the entrance to the main hotel, the event’s “animation “They’re happy, they’re spirited, they’re vibrant and they’re team” -- a sort of Summer U motivation squad -- had postoutwardly proud Jews.” ed several blank white sheets with the instructions “Make a Sagor noted the value of allowing friendships and connec- wish -- we will make it happen!” tions to develop over the course of eight days. Indeed, at last Writing in big block letters across several pieces of paper, year’s Summer U, another young attendee from the AJC met Obadia asked the organizers to develop a Winter U, an her now fiance, a Colombian Jew. Autumn U and a Spring U.
Beth El plans fun-filled afternoon at Vala’s by JILL BELMONT son and free for children ages Beth El Publicity Coordinator two and younger. The 6 p.m. kid-friendly dinA trip to Vala’s in Gretna ner, at a designated campfire has become a fall tradition for site, will feature hot dogs, many locals, and on Sunday, chips and s’mores for dessert. Oct. 2, Beth El’s Young Adult Dinner cost is $6.50 for Committee will offer a funadults, $4.50 for children ages filled afternoon for the entire four to 12, and there is no family at the popular pumpcharge for children ages three kin patch, located on 180th and younger. Reservations are St., just one mile south of Highway 370. Co-hosts of the needed and may be made by event include Sonia Tipp and sending a check -- made Linda Fischer. payable to Beth El -- to the Hayrack and tractor rides, synagogue, at 14506 pumpkin picking, live enterCalifornia St., Omaha NE tainment, a picnic dinner and Beth El Young Adults at Schmidley’s Aug. 2011. 68154. much, much more will highlight the event, scheduled to For more information, contact Tipp at 402.968.5519, or begin at 4 p.m. (attendees will meet at the hayrack ride). stipp0811@yahoo.com; or Fischer, at 402.996.0383, or Families will pay for their admission to Vala’s: $13 per per- ljlaz@aol.com.
Another miracle by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press It sounded like the opening scene of a Bones episode: an Arizona retiree is quietly gardening, drops his pruning shears, trips, and falls head first onto those shears, causing them (handle first!) to penetrate his eye socket. The handle went 6 inches into his head, and rested against the carotid artery in his neck. The X-ray speaks for itself: 86-year-old Leroy Luetscher could very well have died from his injuries. Except, he didn’t: thanks to the very talented staff at Tucson’s University Medical Center, he lived to tell the tale.
One of the doctors on staff at University Medical is Dr. Lynn Polonski from Omaha; the same Polonski who treated Representative Gabrielle Giffords earlier this year after she was shot. And so, that strange garden shears incident prompted a phone call to the Jewish Press from Bluma Polonski, Lynn’s mother, because she wanted to share “yet another miracle” with the Omaha community. Rightly so; the medical rescue after Luetscher’s unfortunate accident is nothing less that miraculous. “Mr. Luetscher was hurried to University Medical Center in Tucson, where his eye was operated on by a team of doctors. Surgeons removed the rooted nails from his eye, then re-developed the eye surface with metallic net and successfully saved his eye.” (Newstonight.net) Come again? Unfortunately, this paper had to go to print before we had the chance to talk to Dr. Polonski himself. So, while we wait to get some answers from him about his experience, we’ll summarize some of the many articles that have appeared around the world. From the Green Valley News: “University Medical Center sent out a press release with a hair-raising X-ray showing one handle of the shear firmly set in Luetscher’s eye socket. Miraculously, he has recovered eyesight in his right eye after big sections of the eye socket were rebuilt with titanium mesh, the same material used on rep. Gabrielle Giffords after the Jan. 8 shooting in Tucson. The shear handle was “rock solid in his face,” Dr. Polonski said. “He lost his orbital rim and floor. They were obliterated,” said Polonski, who volunteered to come in that day because it was such an unusual case. He said the injury and the recovery were “one in a million,” and he had no inkling when he first saw the patient that he would recover so well.” From Dagelijks Nieuws: “Gardening can be extremely dangerous.” From DailyMail.UK: “Dr Lynn Polonski, clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology, said the team made incisions underneath Mr Luetscher’s right upper lip and in his sinus wall, allowing them to loosen the handle of the shears with their fingers.” From the Associated Press: “Polonski said so many things could have gone much worse for Luetscher. The shears could have ruptured his eye ball, hit his brain or severed his carotid artery. “You know, if it went a little bit in a different direction, it basically could have killed him or he could have had a stroke,” Polonski said. “He was very lucky that it missed all vital structures and we were able to put him back together.” The journalists call it a miracle, Leroy Luetscher calls it a miracle, and his own mother calls it a miracle, but Polonski calls it “lucky.” The point is debatable, but Polonski’s success in the operating room probably has as much to do with his immense skill and experience. Dr. Polonski owns and operates Catalina Eye Care PC, and specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology and oculoplastics. He is a graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, completed his residence at Case Western reserve University, and performed a Preceptorship in oculoplastics and facial plastics at St. John’s Westshore Hospital in Westlake, Ohio. He also performs removal of orbital tumors and reconstruction of orbits due to trauma or abnormal growth in both adults and children. And since Leroy Luetscher’s now famous accident, he can add “removal of pruning shears” to his resume.
12 | The Jewish Press | September 16, 2011
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
Getting to the forgiveness part
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Here’s what happened: on Aug. 24, Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez of Santa Ana, California, found herself in a heated debate with her colleagues. While discussing a special property tax that funds Downtown Inc., an organization that promotes and cleans up the Santa Ana downtown area, Alvarez criticized Downtown Inc. for renting an office from downtown property owner Irving Chase. “So, if Hitler rents you a place, and he gives you a good deal, you take it?” she asked Downtown Inc. The comment was both insipid and hateful: Chase happens to be the son of Holocaust survivors. Being compared to Hitler, one can assume, is not on his list of favorite things. (Besides, what does Hitler have to do with property taxes? Nothing, that’s what.) Every blogger up and down the coast of California screamed for Alvarez’ resignation, as well as an apology. That came the next day: “I do want to apologize to the Chase family for whatever reason they found my comments offensive. That was not my intent,” she said. That was not a very good apology. In fact, it wasn’t an apology at all. Anyone who has ever been around a six-yearold knows what that was: a ‘yes, but’ apology. It comes with a built in excuse, and therefore doesn’t count. The AntiDefamation League called it “half-hearted,” and if even the ADL has nothing nice to say about your apology, it definitely needs a do-over. And so she made a second apology. This time, it appeared she had given it some thought, as evident in this small sample: “At the council meeting, in the midst of built-up frustration in the chamber, I inadvertently drew an egregious analogy to Mr. Chase and his son. I now understand how hurtful and egregious this must have felt to them whose family suffered in the Holocaust. To the Chase family I want to say how sincerely sorry I am for having caused you pain.” Although Ms. Alvarez cannot be forgiven for using the
word ‘egregious’ twice in one paragraph, she did make a sincere attempt the second time around. Not that it did her any good: I searched newspapers online for an hour and found not a single journalist on the West Coast, or anywhere else, who came to her defense. Which begs the question: when a public official says something stupid and hurtful, how do we expect them to proceed? It’s a timely question, with Yom Kippur only weeks away. It’s that time of year when we are reminded that the only thing harder than saying you’re sorry, is letting go of righteous anger directed at someone else. And even when our anger isn’t righteous (it usually isn’t) we pretend it is, because it makes us feel better. Blaming others for their human errors is easy; it doesn’t take long to find fault if you just look hard enough. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is extremely difficult. Especially if, as in Alvarez’ case, the insults just keep coming: she says the Chase family is plotting to take over downtown and push out the Latinos. They are attempting a newer version of “ethnic cleansing.” Alvarez is sorry for using the term ‘ethnic cleansing’ but still believes the Chases are taking over. “But I am not anti-Semitic,” she says. Alvarez, who also is a Deputy District Attorney, may be right. She is probably just ignorant, and she shouldn’t have lost her cool. Still, what comes next? Alvarez is only the latest in a long string of politicians and public figures to stick her foot in her mouth, and then make it worse with a poorly execut-
ed apology. In fact, this thing happens so often, it's about time we create a protocol. A blueprint for apologizing, if you will. First: admit that you did something unsavory. Second: do it right away. Don't waffle, don't deny, and please, don't try to minimize it. Own your faults. It's what you'll have to do eventually anyway, so you may as well save time. Saving time is important, because what we all really need to work on is getting to the forgiveness part. We (and I'm most definitely including the media in this) need to stop enjoying other people's mistakes so much, and let go of all that resentment. Yes, people make mistakes, and yes, they should know better. But the correct response to that should end with a genuine attempt to educate and move on. If that doesn't happen, the Claudia Alvarezes of this world will continue to say hurtful things, and we'll be caught in an endless blame-loop.
A big climax to Israel’s summer of protest, but what comes next is uncertain
Behind the headlines JESSICA STEINBERG JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Last week’s demonstrations by more than 400,000 Israelis calling for social justice represented a powerful climax to an unprecedented summer of protests and activism. The nationwide protests, billed as the March of the Million, have been called the largest demonstration in Israel’s history. Whether they ventured out in person -- in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and many smaller cities throughout Israel -- or watched the protests on television, many Israelis felt galvanized by the mass mobilization. The next morning, as some protesters headed home after dismantling the tents they had raised in city parks this summer, organizers said the movement was entering a new phase. For now the country is awaiting the recommendations of the Trajtenberg Committee, a panel of academics, economists and policymakers appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to the protests. The committee will be releasing its suggestions for socioeconomic reforms in the next few weeks. Yet Israelis are wondering precisely what sort of change will result from the summer of protest. Will it come to an abrupt end with recommendations to cut some budgets and augment others, or will there be a more far-reaching transformation of Israeli politics? Unquestionably it is the first time that “Israelis got a sense of empowerment that they can change things, that they can
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get organized and protest in a peaceful way,” said David Nachmias, a lecturer in the School of Government at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. “They want social justice, they want to change public policy.” How this desire will translate into the realm of politics is an open question. Many signs at the protests assailed Netanyahu and his government, and the leader of the opposition Kadima Party, Tzipi Livni, urged Israelis to attend Saturday’s demonstrations on Facebook. Protest organizers, however, have tried to keep the political world at a distance from their movement in the hopes of appealing to wide segments of the Israeli public. Several leaders emerged from the tent cities and weekly protests as nationally prominent figures, including Daphne Leef, who was the first to set up a tent in central Tel Aviv to protest her inability to find an affordable apartment, and Itzik Shmuli, the chairman of National Student Union. Both were featured speakers at Saturday’s main rally that drew some 300,000 people to Tel Aviv’s Hamedina Square. Many observers have pointed to the differences between the two young leaders, which reflect tensions within the movement as a whole. Leef, who tends to speak from the gut, has blasted the Trajtenberg Committee as a cynical effort established to deceive the public. Shmuli, by contrast, has been interested in engaging with the committee and, like other student leaders before him, is mentioned as a natural for entering politics. Shmuli is “one of the people to look for” as an emerging political leader, said Hani Zubida, an assistant professor of public policy at IDC Herzliya who helped organize a coali-
tion of Israel’s peripheral populations for the summer protests that included single mothers, Arabs and lowerincome communities. “People are calling for his campaign tour for the next primaries,” Zubida said. “The fact that we saw him week in and week out on the stage means something.” At the same time, says Zubida, nobody is sure what will happen next. He believes that some protest leaders may be co-opted into the current political parties, which could be “extremely beneficial, as it might show that the government is trying to face the challenge and embrace ‘these people’ into the system.” Nachmias is hoping that the wave of protests results in the formation of a new political party with a socioeconomic agenda rather than focusing on security issues. Israel has been in the midst of a governance crisis, he said, and the government has been unable to formulate and implement longterm public policies, partly because of its electoral system that empowers small parties representing various interest groups. “People are sick and tired of the governance crisis,” he said. “The speakers were talking about the new Israel, the empowered Israelis. If there is a new political party, that’s the greatest achievement they can have.” Hebrew University historian Alexander Yakobson wrote in Haaretz that the movement itself cannot be turned into “a political party, or a camp with a clear-cut political and ideological character, without losing most of its participants and all of its public influence.” Yakobson also wrote that while the movement has given a boost to more social democratic Continued on page 13
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September 16, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 13
Why doesn’t religion make us better people?
Focus on issues RABBI ADIN STEINSALTZ I am often asked, especially by non-believers, whether religious practice can actually make us better human beings. This is a real-life query. And often, it’s actually a deeper, far more personal question that each of us might ask of ourselves: what does religious practice mean to me? For one person, "Do not steal" can be guidance from within: theft is something that he despises and avoids at all costs. For another, “Do not steal” may mean: do not steal when there are witnesses, especially if the police are around. In the best instance, one’s faith plays a central role in the way one acts in the world. For such a person, religion is not only the performance of a ritual; it is also a spiritual, moral structure. Avoiding sin and embracing positive acts can transform us into better people, both in behavior and in our emotional lives. Religious practice can change our behavior towards others and have a profound impact on our interior worlds. But there is also the opposite case: that of the person who is very particular about religion, but sees it only as a form of ritual. For him, religious practice does not have any meaning – except for going through a routine in a particular way. While such people may be good or evil by nature, ritual life may become mechanical. Over time, they may be more and more involved with meticulous observance. They may measure others only by the way they, themselves, practice religion. They may see observance as an excuse for avoiding any good deeds that are not part of the ritual. And sometimes ritual practice even serves as atonement for very
immoral behavior in other arenas, or for belittling or despising other religions. They see God as an idol who demands sacrifices – the sacrifice of other human beings. Looking at this group, the difference between the ardent church-goer and the person who hardly visits there is very small. There is a very small defense of those of the second group – the careful religious practitioners who fail in loving kindness or high ideals. Had they not gotten religion, perhaps these same people would have behaved in a much worse way. So if religious people are not always models of high behavior, one can imagine how they would have been without any religious feeling. Most people fall somewhere between these two extremes. For them religion and its practice are only a part, a very small part, of their self-definition. In these cases, the results may be very diverse; sometimes, when there is a heightening of religious sentiment, it is followed by becoming, at least temporarily, a better person. There surely are people that on occasions of special holidays become more benevolent, forgiving or understanding of those around them. All of the world’s religions deal, at least in part, with the inner life and the demands of the soul: even so, the effect of religious life on the adherent depends very much on how much it is internalized. Both wisdom and faith work much better when the worshipper identifies with them internally rather than being tamed to show them off externally. Communities around the world will be studying Rabbi Steinsaltz’s insights into the Shema, on Nov. 13, 2011, the second Global Day of Jewish Learning. Please see www.the globalday.com.
Lehahlif Kedomet: On Turning 50
Journal entry from Israel TEDDY WEINBERGER Israelis use a cute expression for when a person changes the tens digit in their age: Lehahlif kedomet (literally, “to change the prefix”). I changed my “4” into a “5” on Aug. 8th. Surprisingly (since I don’t think I can be accused of not mining my personal life for my columns), I did not think of writing about this occasion until I read John Podhoretz’s editorial in the June issue of Commentary. In taking stock of his life after turning 50 in April, Podhoretz, ahead of all his professional accomplishments, privileges his personal life-his meeting his wife at the age of 40 and his having three children with her at, respectively, age 43, 45, and 49. He writes: “I know what I have, and how fortunate I am, because I know what it was like to be so long without them.” John Podhoretz is now where I was a generation ago. After reading his essay, my most pronounced feeling upon turning 50 is: Thank God I am where I am. Where am I exactly? I am married with five grown children. Sarah and I met when we were both 18. We married at 23 and began having children in our mid-20’s. We were 33 when our youngest child Elie was born. I am supremely thankful that I met my bashert (“fated one”) at such a young age and that I made the choices I did concerning my personal life. On the other hand, I envy Podhoretz for the all-encompassing project he has for his middle age. Appropriately, Podhoretz titled his essay “Rooted”; over the next 20 years he will be in the very thick of raising his children and this
will and should be (according to his own priorities) the focus of his life. But my children are already young adults, and while I anticipate guiding them and my grandhildren over the coming decades, my major job of parenting is over. This brings with it a sense of accomplishment but also a sense of “what now?” The anxiety caused by this question makes turning 50 seem less than thrilling. Unlike John Podhoretz I don’t have an intense period of childrearing ahead of me. Instead, I must squarely confront the second half of my adult life, and with a physical plant that is increasingly showing wear and tear. Grandchildren will certainly be a welcome addition to my life in my 50’s (ahem, ahem). I intend to be a very active and involved grandparent, and my age and the culture and small size of this country will give me an excellent start in this. It’s the norm in Israel to see one’s grandchildren at least a few times a month, and many Israeli grandparents see their grandchildren on a daily basis. A pre-condition for strong human relationships is frequent contact, and life in Israel encourages this between grandparent and grandchild. However, unlike parenting, I don’t think that grandparenting should be a full-time occupation. Like other human beings not in the “rooted” stage of life called childrearing, my task will be to make the most out of my time and to try different things in order to enrich my life and keep things interesting (to which end I became a certified tennis coach in 2010). But I do have a gnawing doubt: Will the next chunk of my life be as fulfilling and satisfying as the childrearing stage of my life? Stay tuned. Teddy Weinberger made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children. Their oldest three, Nathan, Rebecca and Ruthie, are veterans of the Israel Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@net vision.net.il.
Jewish clergy join anti-Islamaphobia event by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Top Jewish clergy joined a religious gathering to combat Islamaphobia as the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks nears. “Ten years after 9/11, it has somehow become respectable to verbally attack Muslims and Islam in America,” Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the president of the Union of Reform Judaism, said recently at the Washington event organized by Shoulder to Shoulder, a group founded a year ago during a period of intensified anti-Muslim rhetoric. “There are very real consequences when entire populations are represented in the public imagination by their worst elements, when the sins of the few are applied to the group as a whole. I have watched in astonishment as prominent politicians, including candidates for president of the
United States, have found it politically opportune to peddle divisive anti-Muslim bigotry.” Also addressing the event at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church was Steve Gutow, a Reconstructionist rabbi and the president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the public policy umbrella group. “A great people and a great nation do not let their brothers and sisters suffer from bigotry and persecution,” Gutow said. “Our Muslim brothers and sisters suffer exactly that in all corners of this great country of ours. Today is a day to stand up and say we have had enough.” Rabbi Burton Visotzky of the Conservative movement’s Jewish Theological Seminary said Muslims “have always been part of the fabric of America.”
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 29-30 for Rosh Hashanah, The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is Monday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. for the Oct. 7 issue. Questions? Call 402.334.6448
Ask Mike MIKE SILVERMAN, CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha Hi Mike! A suggestion that I have is to possibly put some form of non-slip mats or that non-slip tape down on the hallway leading to the inside pool. The CDC kids are constantly falling on the wet floor right there. I just don’t want anyone to get hurt. Just something to think about. Thanks for your time! Stefanie Stefanie, Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. I have discussed this with the JCC Executive Director, and he is working with our Facilities Manager to make sure that the children are safe at all times. I expect that this issue will be resolved in the very near future. Mike Mike, For greater community involvement and transparency would you consider publishing the minutes of Federation Board meetings in our Jewish Press the week after they occur? Stan Mitchell Stan, As a community member, Board minutes are available to you and anyone else if you stop in the Federation office and ask for a copy. That is probably the best way to get all the information discussed. In the weekly Jewish Press, information that is shared with the Press Editor is crafted into stories (when appropriate and story-worthy) so the community can remain up to date. Also, each agency is represented at the Board meetings and if the agency Executive and President believe the information warrants submission to the Press, then the piece will be published. There is a lot happening with the Federation and we are trying our very best to keep everyone informed by writing articles for the Press and my e-mail push that happens every few weeks. Mike
Israel’s summer of protest Continued from page 12 economic policies, ultimately change will have to come through the championing of these issues in the political realm. “The Labor Party, under new leadership, is a natural candidate to carry a banner of this kind, but of course there are also other options and combinations of options,” he said in Haaretz. “The bottom line is that this is a matter for a party or parties. It is clear that the voting public will not vote on the socioeconomic issue alone, but its importance will no doubt increase.” In the meantime, the public is waiting to see what the Trajtenberg Committee will recommend to ease the burdens facing the middle class. Expectations are that the panel will call for significant cuts in the defense budget, as well as recommend raising corporate, inheritance and capital gains taxes. The committee also is expected to recommend increases in the education, health and social welfare budgets; lowering income taxes for the middle class; offering tax breaks for working parents; and breaking up the country’s monopolies. Still, Zubida says, the committee cannot meet the movement’s aspirations for change. “This is about more than just recommending more competition and doing away with monopolies,” he said. “We need a different vision for Israel.” Like many others, he would like to see a new political party emerge from the protest movement. As an active participant in the protests, Zubida remarked that the wonder of the tent cities was “everyone was talking to everyone else.” He would like to see the negotiations and discussions that took place in those ad hoc salons continue to happen in different neighborhoods and places throughout Israel. Protest leaders are trying to keep the dialogue going. Instead of another mass march, 1,000 round tables will be set up Saturday night outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art for public meetings and democratic discussions of social issues. “This is a brand new trend,” Zubida said. “It’s the first time in Israel that there are different social coalitions working together. It’s a semi-revolution.”
14 | The Jewish Press | Sepetember 16, 2011
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Rabbi Steven Abraham and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Join us for a special Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m., as we celebrate Beth El’s 20th anniversary at its current home. Past synagogue presidents will participate in services and will share memories during a wine and cheese reception afterward. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (2-7), 10 a.m.; Shabbat Yoga, 10 a.m., enjoy a unique, alternative Shabbat experience led by Andy Greenberg, Beth Staenberg and Cantor Schlossberg. Wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothing (no tank tops or shorts). If you have a yoga mat, feel free to bring it along; Evening Services, 7:20 p.m. GET YOUR MORNING MIDRASH!: Meet with Rabbi Abraham on Saturdays at 9 a.m. to discuss the week’s Torah portion, midrashim (rabbinic stories), plus medieval and modern biblical commentators. The class is open to everyone (knowledge of Torah is not required). Class will conclude prior to the beginning of Shabbat services. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: BESTT Family Assembly, 9:45-10:15 a.m. in the social hall annex. All parents of students are invited to attend each week. In addition, USYers will sell bagels and donuts from 9 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. each Sunday; Men’s Club Softball, 10 a.m., at the JCC ball fields. All are welcome to play – Men’s Club membership not necessary. For more information, contact Scott Simon at simonsz@cox.net, or 402.616.4089; Preparing ourselves for the High Holy Days class, 11 a.m.-noon with Rabbi Levin. No charge to attend. To register, contact Program Director Margie Gutnik in the office or at programming@bethel-omaha.org; Beth El’s 20th Anniversary - Preserving Our Past...Celebrating Our Future, 2– 4 p.m., with an open house and building tours at the synagogue’s former home, 119 S. 49th Ave. The entire community is invited. THURSDAY: Jews & Brews, a Men’s Night Out dinner event sponsored by Men’s Club at the synagogue at 7 p.m. No charge to attend; to RSVP, contact Mike Schop at 402.618.0189. SELIHOT: On Saturday, Sept. 24, Beth El will celebrate Selihot, along with the formal installation of assistant rabbi, Steven Abraham. The evening begins with a 9:30 p.m. dessert reception, followed by Havdalah at 10 p.m. Rabbi Abraham’s installation ceremony will follow Havdalah; the moving Selihot service will then take place at 10:45 p.m. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and
Bar Mitzvah Jake Simon, son of Jill and Scott Simon, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Beth El. Jake is an eighth-grade Superior Honor Roll student at Beadle Middle School. His interests include playing select soccer for OFC, video games and hanging out with friends. He has a sister, Amanda. Grandparents are Ann and Sheldon Lippman of Albany, NY and Yvonne and Joe Simon of Ft. Myers, FL.
Unveiling A stone setting for Rosa Richtman will be on Sunday, Sept. 18, 12:30 p.m., at Golden Hill Cemetery, 5025 N. 42nd St.
Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:14 p.m. Beth Israel is pleased to welcome Rabbi Chaim Loike, a Rabbinic Coordinator at OU Kosher specializing in eggs and spices. Rabbi Locke will be speaking throughout Shabbat. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes begin with Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; The Laws of Shabbat, 5:15 p.m.; Rabbi Loike will speak, 6 p.m.; Mincha, 7 p.m. followed by Seuda Shlishit; Havdalah, 8:11 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. followed by breakfast. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Weekly Teleconference Mishnah Class, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross. Contact the office for information on how to call-in to the conference call. TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class is cancelled this week. WEDNESDAY: Scholars Club for fourth-sixth graders, 4 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Gross.
CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Minyan, 10 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m.; Mini Mensch title will be awarded. Special Farbrengen Kiddush luncheon in honor of Chai Elul follows the service. Join Rabbi Katzman, noon-1 p.m.; W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets and Prayer, 12:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Lori Raphael. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Ki Tavo; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Book Club, 2 p.m. at Marcia Kushner’s home (1632 Old Farm Rd) and will discuss The Book Thief. Call Marcia to let her know if you plan to come, 402.423.5959. TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at the Black Crow in Beatrice, NE. Carpool from Tifereth Israel at 11 a.m. Please contact Stephanie Dohner with any questions. WEDNESDAY: LCJS Grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Choir rehearsal, 7:30-9 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION Preparing Our Souls for the High Holy Days, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-noon with Rabbi Craig Lewis and Spiritual Lay Leader Nancy Coren at Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
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Candlelighting Friday, September 16, 7:14 p.m.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP 1317 North 57 Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | 402.551.6609 FRIDAY: Minyan, 7:14 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Chef ’s Demo, 1:30 p.m. led by Chabad. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg. THURSDAY: LOVE Board of Directors, 7 p.m. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street | Omaha, NE 68132-2651 | 402.556.6536 www.templeisrael-ne.org FRIDAY: Shabbat Service: Writing Yourself into the Book of Life, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet. We will honor everyone who celebratess a birthday or anniversary in September with a special blessing. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Rachel Zetzman, daughter of Amee and Ted Zetzman, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. SUNDAY: Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; WRJ Meeting, 10 a.m.; Men’s Club Softball, 10 a.m. at the JCC fields; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, 12:15 p.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 1 p.m.; Shofar Choir Practice, 1 p.m. with Len Burrell. Bring your Shofar! TUESDAY: Executive Meeting, 6 p.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-8, 6-8 p.m.; Healing Service, 6:30 p.m. S’lichot with a Twist, Saturday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. beginning with Havdalah and a teaching with animated entertainment to stimulate conversation regarding forgiveness and repentance. A service with liturgy and music from around the world will be followed by a chocolate Oneg.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat on the Green outside on the grassy side yard. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., Kabbalat Shabbat services will begin outside at 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Study Session on Pirkei Avot, 9:30 a.m.; Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Book Club, 2 p.m. at Marcia Kushner’s home (1632 Old Farm Rd) and will discuss The Book Thief. Call Marcia to let her know if you plan to come, 402.423.5959. TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at the Black Crow in Beatrice, NE. Carpool from Tifereth Israel at 11 a.m. Please contact Stephanie Dohner with any questions. WEDNESDAY: LCJS Grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION Preparing Our Souls for the High Holy Days, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-noon with Rabbi Craig Lewis and Spiritual Lay Leader Nancy Coren at Tifereth Israel Synagogue.
SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway | Offutt AFB, NE 68113 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
JPS sells inventory to U. of Nebraska Press
Russia says it backs Palestinian U.N. statehood bid
by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- The University of Nebraska Press has purchased the entire book inventory of the Jewish Publication Society. The university's Board of Regents approved the agreement despite concerns that the purchase would not be profitable. JPS, a 123-year-old publisher based in Philadelphia, reportedly has an annual revenue of $1 million to $1.5 million. Half of its sales are of the JPS Bible, the most widely read version of the Old Testament. Under the agreement, JPS would continue to find and develop new works. The University of Nebraska Press owns nearly 3,000 titles, including 50 Jewish studies titles and Bible commentary.
by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Russia will support the Palestinian Authority's statehood bid at the United Nations next week. Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin, made the announcement Monday, saying Russia would vote in favor of the Palestinian state in the Security Council, where as a permanent member Russia holds a veto, and in the General Assembly, where a majority of states have already said they would support the bid. "We will endorse any proposals submitted by the Palestinians," Churkin said in an interview. Russia joins China, which also wields a veto in the Security Council, in its support of a Palestinian state.
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September 16, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 15
A word to the wise
In memoriam FREDERICK GUSS
Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Ki Tavo The Torah sets up a dramatic lesson for the Israelites as they come into the Promised Land. Unto mountains or high hills facing each other, as though they were opposing each other, important lessons were to come from each side. Levites were to proclaim curses or blessings from the opposing mountains. The curses were for violations of ethical practice—for example, one is cursed who dares to strike his father or his mother. The blessings were to be proclaimed from the other mountain for those who followed the commandments of the Lord. They would have prosperity and well-being, with success in whatever they might undertake. As serious as the troubles and disasters involved in the curses were, so prosperous and successful and joyous were the blessings that were to follow for those who obeyed the commandments of the Lord. Although all of this seems rather obvious to us in our sophistication, the Sacred Text takes it for granted that the Israelites were fairly simple and inexperienced. Therefore they had to be taught even obvious ethical lessons, and dramatically so, so that they would be impressed by the lessons to which they were subjected. The Sacred Text confronts the ancient Israelites with a naked choice: if you do thus, then thus and so will follow. On the contrary, if you do the opposite, then unlimited disasters will follow. If we sometimes say “a picture is worth a thousand words!” then this played-out drama was worth a thousand times a thousand words. For the ancient Israelites had come from slavery and ignorance, to a land where they must be intelligent, sophisticated, and wise.
Jersey Boys brings musical excitement to Omaha by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT The documentary-style musical Jersey Boys will be performed at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater through September 25. The plot revolves around one of the most successful 1960s rock ‘n roll groups: the Four Seasons. Since its Broadway debut in 2005, Jersey Boys has wowed audiences with an allout assault on the senses. Great music combined with a plot that is not for the faint-of-heart makes for a show that keeps people coming back for more. Leave the kids at home: Jersey Boys does not shy away from adult language as well as adult themes, such as drug addiction and divorce, or the origins of the song “Oh, What a Night.” Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy deVito and Nick Massi represent to many what the 1960s were all about; summarizing their 15-18 year career into a two hour performance makes for a musical that is intense, fast paced, but never overwhelming. The backstory is very real, and the music is sublimely entertaining. Tickets start at $18; for more information on showtimes and how to obtain tickets, visit www.TicketOmaha.com or www.OmahaPerformingArts.com.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 29-30 for Rosh Hashanah, and Thursday and Friday, Oct. 13-14, for Sukkot. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is Monday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m. for the Oct. 7 issue and Wednesday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. for the Oct. 21 issue. Questions? Call 402.334.6448
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Frederick Guss passed away on Sept. 8 at the age of 63. Services were held on Sept. 12 at Golden Hill Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Guss; daugther, Rebecca Guss. He was twice a past Master of the Omaha Lodge #288 A.F. and A.M.; Scottish Rite 32nd Degree KCCH, Rose Croix and a member of the York Rite and Shrine Clowns. Memorial contributions may be made to the Omaha Home for the Boys.
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SIDNEY TAREN Sidney Taren passed away on Sept. 4 at the age of 94 in Tucson, AZ. Services were held Sept. 12 at Temple EmanuEl in Tucson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Rae (Bette) Taren, and his brother, Walter Taren. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law: Anita and Robert Taren, Jessie and Michael Taren, and Myra and Douglas Taren; daughter, Julie Taren; grandchildren: Mike, Katie, Lucy, Sanet, and Crystal; great-grandchild, Eli; brother, Larry Taren; brother and sister-in-law, Ruth and Arnold Taren; sister, Mimi Ross. Memorials may be sent to the Saguaro Rotary Foundation, 1601 North Oracle Road, Tucson AZ 85705.
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AIPAC, AJC praise Obama on Cairo intervention by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- AIPAC and the American Jewish Committee praised the Obama administration for its intervention on behalf of Israel’s besieged Cairo embassy. “AIPAC appreciates the immediate intervention by President Obama and the U.S. Administration to guarantee the safety of Israeli diplomats and their families whose lives were in danger by an Egyptian mob at the Israeli embassy in Cairo,” the American Israel Public Affairs Committee said in a rare public statement. “AIPAC encourages the U.S. to continue to urge Egypt to adhere to its treaty obligations with Israel under the Camp David Accords and its international commitments to maintain the safety of foreign embassies and diplomats.” The AJC praised U.S. intervention in a letter sent Saturday to Obama. “We know that American assistance to its democratic ally Israel in this fast-developing crisis also averted further strain in Egyptian-Israel relations,” the group’s leaders said in the letter. During a riot outside the embassy Sept. 9, protesters broke down the security wall surrounding the embassy compound and entered the building. Once the riots turned violent, Israel’s ambassador to Egypt, and others staying at the embassy were evacuated to Cairo’s airport and returned to Israel on a special Israel Air Force flight. Six employees stranded in the building were later removed by an Egyptian commando unit during a special rescue operation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the United States for intervening: “I would like to express my gratitude to the president of the United States, Barack Obama,” the Israeli leader said. “I asked for his help. This was a decisive and fateful moment. He said, ‘I will do everything I can.’ And so he did. We owe him a special measure of gratitude.”
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JOHN DEERE TECHNICIAN Due to extensive growth in the Omaha and South Central Nebraska area, large multistore dealership has fulltime openings for Service Techs. Experience preferred but would consider training the right person. BeneÞt package includes: -401 (k) -Overtime after 40 hrs. - Bonus Plan - Modern Facilities - Group Insurance Call Ray at 402-238-2211 or e-mail to rayvanv@benningtonequipment.com
Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS PREGNANT? CONSIDERING Adoption? Living expenses, housing, medical, continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. Adopt Connect, 1-866-743-9212. (Void in Illinois, Indiana). ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! For $210/25 word classified you can advertise in over 170 Nebraska newspapers. For more information contact the Jewish Press at 402-3346448 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. steffensbankruptcylaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. KNOW A child with bone, muscle or joint problems? Free Nebraska Shriners Screening Clinic, September 30, 1-4 p.m., Omaha, Grand Island. Call 888-333-7764 ext. 108 for information/appointment. NEBRASKA ANGUS Tour - September 22-24. Visit Angus ranches throughout Southwest Nebraska. For registration and more information check out the website at www.nebraskaangus.org or call 308-577-6700. AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 175 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details. 2003 ROAD Star, a beauty, purple-blue, saddle bags, fairing, adult ridden, many extras not listed in Blue Book, $5,700 OBO. 308-520-3358. SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 1-800369-2850 to place your ad on the national www.midwestclassiccars.com web site for only $25.00. Your ad runs until your vehicle is sold! CHASE COUNTY Community Hospital, www.chasecountyhospital.com, now hiring RNs for 7P-7A shift. Offers competitive wages & benefits. E-mail jsharp@chasecounty hospital.com. EXPERIENCED DIESEL Mechanic wanted. Great opportunity to work in a smaller 6 bay shop in a rural setting near Columbus, Nebraska. Fax or call 402-564-5424.
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HIRING NOW -- Good Jobs! Reinke Mfg. Co., Inc., Deshler, NE. Manufacturing & Maintenance Jobs. New Galvanizing plant being built. Contact Human Resources, 402365-7251 or apply Monday thru Friday. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F. NOW HIRING in the Panhandle of Nebraska. Production, construction, machine operators & more. Salary range $10-$14 hour plus overtime and bonuses. Call 308-2541090. DRIVER: FULL-TIME Drivers needed, local hauls, home nights. Class A CDL required, good MVR required, drug test, 3 years experience. Local company. Send resume to: PO Box 800, Sutherland, NE 69165, 308-386-4767. TWO TRUCK drivers for fall harvest in Nebraska, Sept. 15th until done. CDL, good MVR. Wage plus room-board. 785-275-1782. YOU GOT the drive, we have the direction. OTR Drivers, APU equipped pre-pass EZpass, pets/passenger policy. Newer equipment. 100% No Touch. 1-800-528-7825. WANTED TO buy all grades of alfalfa. Also hiring hauling & grinding positions, clean driving record & CDL required. Fries Hay, Benkelman, 308-737-1024 or 308-423-2872.
16 | The Jewish Press | September 16, 2011