Vol. LXXXIV No. 2 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
IDF Soldiers Capture Admiration of Omaha Jewish Community
Four members of the Israel Defence Force were in Omaha to open the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign. Their recent visit had a profound effect on the Omaha Jewish community. But the Omaha Jewish community had an equally profound effect on the soldiers. More than 300 community members were able to meet Capt. Eyal Ofir, Lt. Nimrod Katzav, Sgt. Oren Griffin, and Lt. A (who cannot be pictured or identified as he is an Israeli Air Force pilot) all active duty soldiers who were hand selected for this exclusive event. After spending a week in Omaha, they returned directly to their posts in Israel.
Above: At the Lion of Judah, Double Chai, Pomegranate event, Arlene Richman, left, and Anne Shackman share stories about Israel with Israeli soldiers Sgt. Griffin and Lt. Katzav, both members of the prestigious Givati Brigade. The officers (ranging in age from 21 to 24) recounted some of their experiences while serving in the IDF and answered questions from the audience. While only one had never been to the United States before, all four made a special point to express how much our support means to them. Continued on page 9
Israelis Rally Against Sharon Plan by DAN BARON Such conciliatory talk JERUSALEM (JTA)-was a far cry from Dictator--yes; traitor-recent calls by other setno. Such were the distler leaders for violent tinctions guiding resistance against the Sunday night’s rally in evacuation of the Gaza Jerusalem against Prime Strip, and parts of the Minister Ariel Sharon West Bank, under and his “disengagement Sharon’s plan to “disenplan.” gage” from conflict with Smarting from the Palestinians in 2005. Sharon’s warnings that “These are calls that his harsher pro-settler amount to civil war,” critics could spark civil Sharon told his Cabinet war, demonstration on Sunday. organizers tore down Later, the prime minone banner labeling the ister directed his admoprime minister a traitor. nitions to rebellious But elsewhere in the Israeli demonstrators hold signs protesting Prime Minister Ariel members of the ruling crowd of tens of thou- Sharon's withdrawal plan as tens of thousands of Jewish settlers and Likud Party. sands, another sign, their backers fill Zion Square in downtown Jerusalem on Sept. 12. “Disputes are legitishowing a grinning Credit: Brian Hendler/JTA mate,” Sharon told Sharon under the title “dictator,” remained aloft and Likud faithful at a Tel Aviv toast ahead of Rosh undisturbed. Hashanah. “But when the situation reaches the point of The message was that he, not the demonstrators, was incitement and hatefulness, this cannot be, because our defying democracy and inviting violence with his plan plans will be implemented,” he said, adding that “This to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four settlements can be done in good spirits, or it can be done amid in the West Bank next year. tough and baseless struggles.” “If the government does not put the decision to a refAnti-disengagement activists accuse Sharon of reverserendum, or new elections, some sectors of the public ing on previous pledges not to make concessions on could interpret it as an illegitimate decision,” said the biblical Land of Israel. Hasdai Eliezer, the mayor of Alfei Menashe in the West But with polls showing that most Israelis--including Bank. “That is liable to bring the situation to a boiling some settlers--back withdrawals from Gaza and the point which we, as the settler leadership, fear.” Continued on page 8
Inside
This Week: Photos from the IDF Visit: Page 9 Report from JCC Maccabi Games: Page 3
2 Tishrei, 5765 September 17, 2004
Albert Vorspan to Speak on Tough Choices for American Jews by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Almost as well known for his humor as his zeal for social action, Albert Vorspan, senior vice president emeritus of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), will be this year’s first scholar-in-residence at Temple Israel as the congregation celebrates the 350th anniversary of Jews in America. Vorspan will speak about Tough Choices for American Jews during the weekend of Oct. 8-10 at Temple. Former director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, Vorspan was instrumental in founding the Religious Action Center (RAC) in Washington, D.C. He now serves as a consultant to both URJ and to RAC. Most of “the landmark civil rights laws of the United States were drafted in our RAC conference room,” Vorspan said. Albert Vorspan Committed to the civil rights movement, Vorspan worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. and went to jail in St. Augustine, Florida, for being involved in protests. Vorspan participated throughout the South and in the March on Washington in 1963. He also led the Reform Movement into opposing the Vietnam War and joining coalitions to stop the war. Until he retired last year, Vorspan was the national co-chairman of the Inter-Religious Committee for Peace in the Middle East, a group composed of Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Vorspan and his wife Shirley made three trips to the Middle East on behalf of the group. They visited the capitals of all the Arab countries “reaching out to others who want peace.” Although Vorspan worked for other Jewish organizations, most of his career has been with URJ where he began in 1953. Prior to that, he served in the U. S. Navy as a gunnery officer in the Pacific during World War II -- “an excellent preparation for serving in the organized Jewish community,” he quipped. He continues to serve as URJ’s representative to the United Nations. Vorspan has shared his wit and intellect in the op-ed pages of the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Time, Moment, Reform Judaism magazine as well as other publications. He is the author of several books on Judaism and social justice as well as a number of books on Jewish humor including I’m OK, You’re a Pain in the Neck, My Rabbi Doesn’t Make Houses Calls, and Stop Worrying: Details to Follow. His most recent book, Jewish Dimensions of Social Justice: Tough Moral Choices of Our Time, was coauthored with David Saperstein. Founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman described the book as “enlightening and useful…in our complicated times. With a deep understanding of Jewish law and tradition, Albert Vorspan and David Saperstein have thoughtfully and sensitively addressed some of the most difficult and troubling questions people face today.” In 1984, Vorspan was the recipient of the Allard Lowenstein Memorial Award given by the American Jewish Congress in recognition of his contributions to social justice and human rights. He was honored at the 59th General Assembly of URJ in 1987 with the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award in recognition of his work promoting social justice. All adults are welcome to attend Vorspan’s discussions which are sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Education.
Coming Next Month: Salute to Education and Camping: Oct. 22
Books About “350 Years of Jewish History” in Kripke Library: Page 4
B’nai B’rith Sponsors Annual Bible Quiz: Page 8
Break the Fast with New Recipies: Page 10