September 17, 2010

Vol. XC No. 3 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

9 Tishrei 5770

September 17, 2010

Rob Mann brings campaign involvement and a passion for Jewish philanthropy

by GARY JAVITCH the following agencies of the Federation: It is more than a cliché: times are Jewish Senior Services, the JCC, Jewish tough, and they are tough for many peo- Family Service, the ADL/CRC, the ple. This has been true for the the past Jewish Press, the Center for Jewish two years, in particular. Not Education (including just locally, but around the the Kripke Jewish world and across the entire Federation Library), nation. The economic clithe Child Developmate has left the Jewish ment Center, and the Federation of Omaha short Friedel Jewish of its goals in the last two Academy. annual philanthropy camThe campaign copaigns, causing Federation chairs determined that leaders to tighten their they needed to reeneragency budget belts and gize the campaign. implement cuts.

They also wanted to Yet the needs covered by find the best ways to the philanthropy campaign raise the level of supremain. Norm Sheldon, the port to meet the many co-chair of this year’s phineeds of the Jewish lanthropy campaign said, community. That led Rob Mann “There are Jews in our them to seek a fresh Omaha community who depend on us. perspective and expert help.

Some desperately.”

They found it in the person of Rob “Besides aiding the needy, the funds Mann. The Chicagoan possesses great raised also help sustain, nourish, and credentials for the task. enrich our Jewish community,” Ellie Batt While Rob’s day job is as the president added. She is Norm Sheldon’s co chair of Henry-Lee and Company, a Chicagofor the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s based designer and distributor of 2011 annual campaign. women’s apparel, he also consults on a The campaign helps subsidize or fund part-time basis for Jewish Federations

A visit to Lisbon

by STEVEN J. RIEKES The Jews of Lisbon, Portugal were the subject of a fascinating lecture by Rabbi Jules Harlow several years ago at Beth El. The Rabbi and his wife went there to work with people whose ancestors had hidden from the Inquisition for hundreds of years and now wanted to

Interior of the Lisbon synagogue. return to Judaism. The Rabbi mentioned that the only synagogue in Lisbon was a very beautiful building. I made arrangements to visit it on our recent trip there.

Portugal had a very large and established Jewish community prior to horrible tragedies commencing in 1497.

King Manuel of Portugal had resisted the Inquisition. After the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, tens of thou-

Inside Op-Ed Page: see page 8

sands fled to Portugal. However, those fanatic and overrated Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, demanded that if Manuel wanted to marry their daughter, he had to remove Jews from Portugal. Instead of allowing the Jews to flee, he refused to let them go because he did not want to jeopardize the economy.

Instead, he decreed that all Jews would have to b e c o m e Catholics, even by force.

Henceforth, they were known as “Conversos.”

In 1506, Lisbon experienced a terrible drought. To encourage prayers for rain, the Dominican priests concocted a fake miracle with an illuminated crucifix. When someone in the crowd questioned the ‘miracle’, the Dominicans figured that the daring questioner must be one of those Conversos, and stirred up the mob against the Jews. Thousands of Jews were killed during the next three days in a public orgy of violence.

Five hundred years later, but not until Continued on page 2

around the country. He is a long-time, respected national lay leader whose main goal is to inspire people to give. Over the years, he has devoted an enormous amount of time and passion to that cause.

Rob was the 2006 volunteer Chair of the United Jewish Communities National Young Leadership Cabinet. He is also a member of Chicago’s Jewish United Fund Board of Directors and a member of their Executive Committee.

Since becoming a trainer in 2003, Rob has spoken or trained on a volunteer basis at over 50 Federations throughout the US and Canada.

Rob qualified for the distinguished two-year Wexner Heritage Program, founded by Les Wexner, the head of The Limited® clothing store chain.

“Those men and women selected, aged 30 to 45 years old, have personal, professional, and communal lives reflecting leadership and commitment to the Jewish people, as well as significant potential for future growth as Jewish leaders,” according to the Wexner Heritage website.

“The Wexner Heritage Program is designed to help leaders discover their full Jewish leadership potential and to inspire them to realize that potential,” the website adds.

In new play, Patinkin tackles an Anne Frank obsession

by SUE FISHKOFF was Anne’s true message to the world BERKELEY, Calif. (JTA) -- Mandy versus what he called the “de-Judaized” Patinkin says he only plays Jewish charac- Broadway and Hollywood versions. ters.

“Anne was not a universalist, she was a Che Guevara, his Tony Award-winning Jewish idealist,” Patinkin said. “That was role in the 1980 Broadway play, Evita? the core of [Levin’s] argument.”

Jewish. Inigo “prepare to die” Montoya It was playwrights Frances Goodrich in The Princess Bride?

Also Jewish.

“Everything I do is Jewish. It’s who I am.

It’s my soul,” said Patinkin.

T h e actor is currently preparing for the opening of Compulsion, a new play about the world’s enduring fascination with Anne Frank.

Compulsion is playwright Rinne Groff’s fictionalized tale of the true story of Meyer Levin, an Mandy Patinkin plays a man obsessed with the story of Anne ambitious writer Frank in “Compulsion,” opening Sept. 16 in Berkeley, CA. obsessed for 30 years Credit: Joan Marcus with producing his own theatrical version of Anne’s diary, a right and Albert Hackett and producer Kermit he claims was stolen from him by the peo- Bloomgarden who universalized Anne’s ple behind the 1955 Broadway play The story for American audiences in the Diary of Anne Frank.

1950s. That was their goal, Groff says, The intensity Patinkin brings to his perhaps understandably. Anne’s diary work stands him in good stead to play Sid was, after all, the first widely published Silver, the Levin character in Compulsion. account of the horrors of the Holocaust, Silver, like Levin, is seared by images before the searing works by Elie Wiesel from the concentration camps and and Primo Levi. absorbed with bringing what he believed Continued on page 2

Next Week: Arts & Entertainment See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’

Rob is an enthusiastic and outgoing man with a deep passion for the Jewish people and Israel. Like his father before him, he has gotten deeply involved in working to support Jewish Federations as well as the State of Israel.

“I like to help people unlock their passions about being Jewish, supporting Jewish causes, and Israel,” Rob said.

“One of the reasons I became involved was because I wanted to work on upgrading the solicitation program.

As the immediate past Chair of the United Jewish Communities National Campaign Training Department, Rob got his chance.

“My best solicitations came when I disclosed why I was so passionate about raising money for our Federation. At the same time, I knew that we had to address what was in it for the donors. Why, for example, should donors care? Why should they give of their money and time?

When a donor and I meet, I begin by asking donors open-ended questions.

What do you care about in your Jewish community”? When they share their interests, I share mine.”

There are many different reasons to give to a special cause; when these reasons Continued on page 2

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home loves L.O.V.E. and vice-versa Page 3

Coming Next Month: Jewish Camping What lessons of Holocaust mean for today Page 7

Project Etgar offers Beth El youth meaningful, hands-on learning Page 12

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

September 17, 2010

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Continued from page 1 are personal, people tend to feel more invested in the eventual outcome and success of the fundraising campaign. Caring about where the money goes is essential, having a personal connection with who benefits, needs to be an integral part of any successful money-raising effort.

Rob has seen the benefits of Federation philanthropy distributed locally and overseas. He has traveled extensively throughout the Jewish world including numerous trips to the Former Soviet Union (FSU), Ethiopia and, of course, Israel.

“When I traveled, I began to see who and what a Jew was,” he said. “I saw that there were many Jews who did not grow up privileged and living on North Shore of Chicago [like I did]. My experiences expanded me personally and I appreciated the life I had and wanted to give back even more”.

Not everybody has the oportunity to personally visit people and organizations in need, especially when it comes to causes in the former Soviet Union, or even in other places within the USA. However, Mann thinks that personal connection can still be forged: “I explained what I saw to others: Our dollars helped Jews get out of the FSU and aided those stayed. In St. Petersburg, for example, the Jewish community is working to become completely self-sufficient. A Jewish day school has been built and is entirely supported by the government. The JDC (the Joint Distribution Committee) sponsors the community center.”

Rob and Lisa Mann have been married 19 years. They have three children. His philanthropy gifts are his investment for his family and community in Jewish life and Israel. Rob jokes, “I put my mouth where my money is.” That is why Rob travels around the country, and to Omaha. He talks about giving, about motivating others, all without expecting a paycheck.

“I am proud of my heritage; proud of our Jewish organizations. I give,” Rob pointed out, “not for one single reason. There are many. I care passionately about the Jewish people. And I give to the Federation because they allocate money more efficiently than anyone else”.

Jan Goldstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, is enthusiastic about what Mann has to offer: “Rob has been traveling to Omaha since January of this year, on a volunteer basis, taking time away from his business and family in order to meet with our campaign-chairs, our team, and our dedicated lay leadership. These are the people who help raise the needed resources for our annual campaign. They benefit greatly from the vast experience Rob Mann is sharng with us”.

“When we talk about ‘need’,” Goldstein says, “we want to remember that includes not only the basics, but also the need for Jewish education, programs, connections within the community, and with other communities. Rob Mann’s efforts have given us a more personalized understanding of what matters to our donors. The people who support our campaign, and those who benefit from it, are one and the same.”

A visit to Lisbon

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Continued from page 1 thered its development. Consequently, the then King then, the Catholic Church allowed a monument to be sent letters to Jewish communities whose ancestors may placed in the center of Lisbon near the Cathedral, which have fled from the Inquisition, hoping that some of states: “In memory of the thousands of Jewish victims of them would return. The Levy family did in 1807. fanatic religious intolerance, Portugal was not enlightmurdered in the massacre ened enough to be fully that began on the 19th of accepting of the Jews it had April, 1506, in this place.” invited to return. Jews After visiting the monucould come back to ment, Margo and I, and our Portugal and practice the good friends, Bernard and Jewish religion, provided Naomi Bloom, went to that they would not Sinagoga Shaaré Tikva, Rua become Portuguese citizens Alexandre Herculano 59 – but would retain their for1250-010, also in central eign nationality. Thus, the Lisbon. (Because of securiLevy family retained their ty, arrangements were made British citizenship.

Bernard Bloom, Steve Riekes and Mr. Samuel Levy in advance.)

In 1903, construction of At the beautiful synagogue, we were met by Mr. the synagogue began, and, in 1910, the Portuguese Samuel Levy, a past president. This charming gentle- monarchy was replaced by a republic. After that, Jews man, a very youthful octogenarian, sat us down in an finally were allowed to become citizens. ante-room and told us the history of his family. They Mr. Levy showed us his synagogue, of which he is had been there before the Inquisition. In 1510, they most proud. It is a small yet beautiful jewel! Typical of were fortunate to escape to Morocco, a place of refuge Sephardic style, the Bimah is in the middle. It is well for many Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. Thousands of worth seeing.

Jews were put on trial during the Inquisition and died in There are about 400 members of the synagogue today. public burnings, called Autos de Fé.

The synagogue has no school. However, there is a After the War of the Spanish Succession, in 1714, Jewish “club” that is something like a Jewish communiBritain acquired the Rock of Gibraltar from Spain. ty center, where youngsters are given some Jewish eduBritain was much more tolerant of Jews than Spain had cation on Sundays, and, in the summer time, at camp. been (although, centuries earlier, in 1290, it had been the Mr. Levy was a most delightful host. He showed us first country to expel its Jewish community. England some of the artifacts from his family’s history which are allowed Jews to return in 1656. Spain and Portugal, how- displayed in the synagogue. He also told us that ever, continued the Inquisition). Because of this toler- Portuguese students now come to the synagogue to learn ance, the Levy family moved from Morocco to Gibraltar. on a regular basis about Jewish life in their country.

Towards the end of the 18th Century, Portugal finalWhile the Jewish community of Lisbon is tiny, its very ly abolished the Inquisition and it dawned on some in existence after 500 years of persecution is testimony to the government that its treatment of Jews had not fur- an eternal people.

Patinkin tackles an Anne Frank obsession Continued from page 1 Groff’s play “didn’t just speak to me, it shouted at me,” said Patinkin, “I was stunned at how it hit a nerve in my soul, on so many levels.”

Patinkin also said his Jewish identity was “shaken to the core” by a recent trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Theresienstadt concentration camps.

Saying he “can’t understand” how people can sit by and let something like the Holocaust happen, Patinkin added, “You can say I’m naive, that I don’t get it, but neither did Anne. She believed, as she says repeatedly and as we repeat in this play, that people are really good at heart.”

But Compulsion isn’t about Anne. It’s about one man’s obsession with Anne and the notion of many that only they truly understand the young diarist.

That was Levin’s mishegas, too. He read Anne’s diary in the late 1940s and extracted a verbal agreement from her father, Otto, to the stage rights. But Levin’s version

was deemed unsuitable, other writers were brought in and Levin sued the bunch of them, including Otto Frank. He won, they appealed and the case was settled by a panel of “Jewish experts” who awarded Levin $15,000 in damages while ordering him to give up his quest.

Levin never did, and that’s the heart of Compulsion.

“It’s about his obsession with an idealistic vision of humanity that this child represented, and his core belief that it must be respected, protected and guarded in perpetuity, and rekindled every day,” Patinkin said. “This play asks us to what degree are we willing to go for what we believe in? Is the cost worth it? Are we living in a world of endless compromise?”

Patinkin has a long involvement with Jewish and Israeli causes. He received the 2000 Peace Award from Americans for Peace Now, is a board member of the Jewish sustainability nonprofit Hazon and supports the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies.

September 17, 2010

Katz to teach modern Jewish poetry class

by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education Not many people know that Gary Katz, Kripke Jewish Federation Librarian and resident Jewish book expert, is also a student and teacher of poetry, having first taught the subject at Creighton University a decade ago.

Late last year, after agreeing to substitute for Rabbi Azriel at a Thursday morning Temple Israel class, Katz decided his subject matter would be Jewish poetry. “The students were pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the poems I selected. Since then, several students have stopped in to the Library inquiring about more poetry studies,” said Katz. He added, “Everything fell into place this year and I am excited to be teaching a course this fall.”

These developments led to the Center for Jewish Education’s latest class offering, Modern Jewish Poetry, a four-week class meeting on Fridays, October 8, 15, 22 and 29 from noon-1 p.m. in the Kripke Library.

This new class will examine a unique selection of modern 20th Century poetry.

Debbi Josephson was one of the students present when Katz stepped in to teach the Thursday morning class. She is very much looking forward to his new poetry class.

“If you are under the assumption you don’t like poetry, then you need to take Gary’s class,” she said. “No matter what level reader or type of student you are, he will make you appreciate poetry. Gary’s discussions make you see the magic in poems. You’ll understand that poetry is not to be feared, but enjoyed,” she added.

Selections will include poems and writings from both Jewish and Israeli authors as well as specific works covering the Jewish experience. Katz says the carefully chosen works are from some of the best of modern authors, including Robert Pinsky, Alan Ginsberg, Yehuda Amichai, Dan Pagis, Gerald Stern and Marge Piercy.

All course materials are included in the tuition fee and will be provided the first day of class. Tuition is $35, discounted to $27 for donors to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Pre-registration is required by calling 334.6445 or mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

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Page 3

The RBJH loves L.O.V.E. and vice-versa

by OZZIE NOGG the community. Basically, we’re here to provide RBJH They say love is a two-way street. In order for rela- residents with the necessities and the pleasures of life.” tionships to last, both parties must appreciate one anothThe Blumkin Home’s new gift shop is another L.O.V.E. er and be willing to give (when they can) and take project. “We carry an exclusive line of handmade items (when appropriate). By that definition, the relationship from Yad LaKashish -- LifeLine for the Elderly -- direct between the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and LOVE. from Israel,” Brookstein said. “The organization provides (League Offering Volunteers to the Elderly) is rock solid. creative work opportunities for needy elderly and disabled “The Blumkin Home is Jerusalem residents, which enable our primary project,” said them to lead meaningful, producLOVE President, Judy tive lives, filled with dignity and selfBrookstein. “When LOVE respect. We also carry a nice assortis ready to donate money, I ment of items for residents’ needs as visit with Mike Silverman, well as greeting cards, and gifts for the RBJH Executive Direcshoppers of all ages, including a tor, and he presents a selec‘free-Toy-Chest’ for kids. We’re tion of items from his ‘wish open from 1-4:30 p.m. on Sunday; list’. It gives us such joy 1–3:30 p.m. on Tuesday; 2–5 when we’re able to provide p.m. on Wednesday; and 10 a.m.what the Home and the res1 p.m. on Friday, and we invite idents need most.” everyone to check out our wares. If Lois Wine, left, and Judy Brookstein According to Lois Wine, you would like to shop at any other RBJH Director of Volunteer Services, L.O.V.E. recently time, please call Lois Wine at 334.6519 and she will be donated $11,736.00 that allowed the Home to provide delighted to assist you.” cable service for the Residents, and purchase new patio Lois Wine added that through the generosity of an furniture for the courtyard. “Two induction cooking anonymous donor, Otis Spunkmeyer cookies will be baked systems were on Mike’s list,” Brookstein said. “L.O.V.E. and sold in the Gift Shop, and we hope there will be perbought them, and now the kitchen staff can whip up sonal shoppers to shop for specific items for Residents. individual omelets and crepes for residents, right in the “LOVE is so generous not only with their many hours dining room. L.O.V.E. helps the Home in so many areas of volunteer service, but with their financial support to -- with funds for medical equipment, for appliances that the Home. We are so grateful that the LOVE Auxiliary make food prep more efficient, plus furnishings that add continues to show a deep commitment to the Residents. to the residents’ enjoyment of their surroundings. We We do not know what we would do without this outtry to cover all the bases.” standing group. We look forward to having the LOVE To date, L.O.V.E.’s large annual gift to the Home has Auxiliary continue with the numerous ways in which paid for three transportation vehicles -- the familiar blue they enrich the lives of our Residents. and white Love Buses, Hospice cart, television sets with Even though LOVE volunteers assist with many of our DVD players for room bound Residents, and prayer programs, there is need for additional volunteers. Please books. L.O.V.E also underwrites new resident welcome call to schedule an appointment and visit with me to find gifts, and holiday parties, monthly birthday cart with your niche.” gifts, and prize money for Bingo and other game days.

Many of the dollars raised by L.O.V.E. come from “L.O.V.E. sponsors kiddush on Shabbat and on holi- Tribute card donations. Cards may be purchased by calldays,” Brookstein said, “ and our volunteers accompany ing Lois Wine at 334.6519; Phyllis Aron at 334.4095; and sponsor residents’ attendance at cultural events in or Sherry Shapiro at 330.9825.

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Bible Quiz Contest Q. Who is eligible?

A. Jewish Omaha high school students in A. grades 9-12.

Q. What Bible subjects?

A. All quiz questions are based on the Books of A. Genesis and Jonah.

Q. What are the prizes?

A. $600, 1st prize; $350, 2nd prize; $250, A. 3rd prize; $125, 4th prize. Applicable to A. college tuition, an approved trip to Israel or A. an approved camp or educational program A. sponsored by a Jewish organization.

A. Extra cash prizes paid at the quiz: $50, A. 1st place; $20 to all contestants who A. correctly answer three questions.

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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. November 30, 2010, 7 p.m.

Q. How to enter?

A. Submit entry to the B’nai B’rith office A. at the JCC by November 2, 2010.

Q. Can you practice before the quiz?

A. Practice sessions will be scheduled and A. sample questions will be given.

Q. Do you have any more questions?

A. Call Steven Riekes, 333-8498 or A. Tobye, in the B’nai B’rith office, 334-6443.

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Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

September 17, 2010

IN THE NEWS The YWCA Omaha will host the second annual Employment Fair and Clothing Extravaganza on Sept.

21, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the YWCA at 222 S. 29th Street.

The Employment Fair and Clothing Extravaganza will support women who are seeking to reach their full potential and to inspire others to pursue educational and professional goals.

Participating employers for the career and educational part of the event are: Boys Town, Immanuel Health System, Methodist College of Nursing, Metro Community College, No-Frills, Timberline Solutions and United Way. The event is open to the entire community, and participation is free. For more information, please call call Margo Parsow at 345.6555 or e-mail mparsow@ ywcaomaha.org. No reservations are required.

Market Manager Andy Ruback is being honored as one of the radio industry’s best leaders. He has been selected as a finalist for the industry’s Radio Wayne Award for Market Manager of the Year.

Andy is the General Manager for Lincoln’s top-rated and Husker flagship stations KFGE-FM, KBBK-FM, KLNC-FM and KLIN-AM. The Radio Wayne award winner for the industry’s Market Manager of the Year will be named on Sept. 30, at the National Association of Broadcaster’s convention in Washington, D.C. Andy Ruback serves as vice-President on the Jewish Press board.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24, for Sukkot; the deadline for the Oct. 1 issue is Tuesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 334.6448.

Temple leadership seminar emphasizes the business of being Jewish

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Zweiback, Dorothy Spizman, and current staff members Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Wendy Goldberg, also a former Board president, and A new leadership seminar at Temple Israel started, Dennis DePorte will present the session on Nov. 18. appropriately, with Shabbat worship services and dinner That will be followed on Dec. 9 by “Reforming on Aug. 27. As the 22 congregants who were invited to Reform Judaism,” a history of Reform Judaism as seen participate in the seminar began a journey of seven ses- through prayers and led by Cantor Wendy Shermet. Jane sions, the emphasis was on the business of being Jewish Rips, a vice president of the URJ Board and a past rather than Jewish business.

Temple president, will give an overview of the structure “Sessions will start with a d’var Torah,” said Jon of the Union for Reform Judaism and Temple’s relaMeyers, past Temple Board president. Meyers, Sally tionship to it.

Kaplan, president-elect, and Rabbi Eric Linder head the leadership seminar committee which invited individuals, representing a mix of current and future leaders of the synagogue, to participate.

Our intention, explained Meyers, “is to fill the pipeline with future leaders, people we can go to, people who will get involved and be knowledgeable about Reform Judaism.

Even if they serve organiza- About to share Shabbat dinner with committee leaders Rabbi Eric Linder and Jon Meyers, tions in the greater communi- participants in Temple Israel's new leadership development seminar include: Justin ty, in the long run they will be Cooper, left, Mimi Silverman, Rabbi Linder, Tom Friedman, Jon Meyers, Mary Wampler, ‘the informed voices’ of Tami Field, Michael Miller, Louri Sullivan, Judy Josephson, Stacie Brodkey, Sherrie Saag, Mike Halsted, Paul Miller, Dan Gilbert, Paul Rabinovitz, Jenn Kirshenbaum, Alan Reform Judaism.

Among the topics on which Fredricks, Sharon Comisar-Langdon, Scott Goodman, Barry Grossman, Patrick Jensen, the seminar will focus are: “To and Pam Epstein. Not picture: Rob Reiss Be a Jew Means to Be Responsible for Other Jews….and Participants will be challenged to think about religion Others?” which will concentrate on how the Jewish and spirituality as opposed to budgeting, hiring, firing, Federation interacts with Temple. Temple Board mem- and bricks and mortar issues at the Jan. 6 session, bers Stacey Rockman and David Gilinsky, representing “Where is Spirituality in All of This?” The emphasis will the Jewish Federation, will lead the Oct. 7 session. be on Jewish development and Jewish values as particiRabbi Aryeh Azriel will discuss community responsibili- pants take on leadership roles. ty to non-Jews.

A professionally-led retreat on Saturday, Jan. 22, will “L’dor V’dor: Lessons of Leadership” will be the Oct. conclude the leadership seminar with “Putting It All 28 session. A panel of past presidents will share the chal- Together. Leadership Skills and Jewish Living.” The day lenges of the lay-clergy partnership, ethical challenges to will end with Havdalah. leadership, and the issues with which leadership deals.

Funded by the Jon Meyers Leadership Fund, set up by “It Takes a Village (and a Balanced Budget!)” will Jon’s parents, Dave, who died recently, and Sue Meyers, review committee structure and the staff-lay partnership. the seminar is a blend of leadership training from other Former Board President Gary Kaplan, who is also a congregations, URJ, and similar leadership development member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Board outreach at Temple in the past. “We think it’s fabulous,” of Trustees, along with former staff members Rosie Meyers quipped.

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Page 5

Sukkot: a week to enjoy STAYING IN TOUCH

by OZZIE NOGG Hot on the heels of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur comes Sukkot – Z’Man Simchateynu - our Festival of Rejoicing. And for get-up-out-of-yourpew-and-participate Judaism, it can’t be beat.

Sukkot is one of three Pilgrimage Festivals -- those times when the Israelites traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem bringing harvest gifts in gratitude to God. Of the three Festivals (Pesach and Shavuot being the other two), Sukkot was, by all accounts, the most popular.

The Torah gives directions for celebrating Sukkot.

“After the fall harvest,” says Leviticus, “take the fruits of goodly trees (etrog), branches of palm (lulav), boughs of thick trees (myrtle), and willows from the brook, and rejoice before the Lord seven days.” We are also told to “dwell in booths”, as did the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt. In other words, the Torah tells us to celebrate Sukkot by observing three mitzvot: (1) rejoice during the holiday, (2) gather the “four species” and (3) live in the sukkah.

Our early ancestors observed the “rejoice” mitzvah to a fault. They gathered in the Sanctuary at Shiloh, danced in the vineyards and drank plenty of their harvested grape. (Now we understand why those provincial sanctuaries were called the high places . . .) Eventually, the villagers gave up their unbridled revels and went, en masse, to the Temple in Jerusalem, to celebrate Sukkot in a more sober fashion. They came in camel caravans from Egypt and by boat from cities on the Mediterranean. They came by donkey, in chariots. But those who traveled on foot won the most points, and it is said that Rabbi Hillel, himself, hoofed it all the way from Babylonia.

Once in Jerusalem, the pilgrims saw wooden booths in every courtyard, on every roof. Thousands of men paraded in the streets, each carrying his very own lulav.

At dawn, silver trumpets blew and priests with golden pitchers poured water on the altar.

At night, the flames from golden menorahs – 150 feet tall -- lit up the Temple area. Learned men juggled flaming torches. They somersaulted, sang with harps and cymbals and no one slept in all of Jerusalem the entire week of Sukkot. No wonder the rabbis said, “Whoever has not witnessed this celebration has not seen true rejoicing.”

Now, to the mitzvah of the four species.

In early days, our ancestors simply carried bunches of fruit and tree limbs in thanksgiving to God for his bounty.

But that agri-business mentality didn’t suit the rabbis, so they invested the lulav and etrog with mystical significance.

They decided that the four species represent the human body: the lulav is the backbone, the etrog is the heart, the myrtle leaves are the eyes and the willow is the mouth.

Therefore, said the rabbis, one should use all of oneself to study Torah, to speak the truth and do good deeds.

Now, a five-star lulav must meet excruciatingly high

standards for size, freshness, the way the leaves are wrapped to the palm, etc., and a lulav of dubious character needs rabbinic approval before it can be used. The etrog must be gorgeous, too. Free from blemish and with a stem that is just so. An etrog with a ding is pasul -- invalid -- and condolences to the man whose etrog’s stem falls off before Sukkot is over.

Once you get your hands on the perfect etrog and lulav, they must be used -- not just admired. The specific ways to hold them and circle the synagogue with them, plus a strict pattern for shaking them and pointing them in all directions is, some say, a practice left over from pagan attempts to summon the four winds or bring rain. Pagan or not, the lulav and etrog are essential to the celebration of Sukkot.

And now the mitzvah of the sukkah, itself.

Traditional wisdom claims we live in booths during Sukkot because the Israelites lived in booths during their Exodus wanderings. But pragmatic scholars point out that desert nomads live in goatskin tents, not in wooden lean-tos with leafy roofs. Therefore (say the scholars), living in booths at Sukkot cannot be connected to our wanderings in the desert, but is, instead, another echo of our agricultural past, when harvesters lived in temporary huts in the fields.

Well, pooh on scholars with no souls. To paraphrase Theodore Gaster, the myths woven around traditions -even when historically inaccurate -- still have validity if people choose to believe them. And most of us do choose to believe that the sukkah symbolizes God’s protection of our people in the wilderness. Furthermore, we also believe the sukkah symbolizes the protection God continues to bestow.

So how do we turn this metaphor into a real structure?

The Torah doesn’t tell us, but the sages give us blueprints.

According to the Talmud, the sukkah must be so many handbreadths by X number of cubits with this many planks and beams. It can be no higher than 30 feet (we shouldn’t become haughty) and must be portable (we shouldn’t become set in our ways) with at least three walls and a roof of leaves or branches that allows more shade than sun and through which the stars can be seen (since all blessings come from heaven). The Talmud also gives opinions on building a sukkah on top of a wagon, on the deck of a ship or on a camel’s back. It gives decorating tips, advice on how to sleep and eat in the sukkah plus procedures to follow in rotten weather. A sukkah, remember, is to rejoice in -- not to suffer in. So tradition says, “He who eats in the sukkah when it is raining is nothing but an ignoramus.” Or words to that effect.

So there you have the whys and hows of celebrating Sukkot. Now, go and be joyful for a week. May God spread His sheltering sukkah of peace over us, over all Israel, and over Jerusalem. Amen.

Ozzie Nogg’s features take a slightly offbeat look at the history and observance of Jewish holidays, festivals and life-cycle events. For a peek inside her book -- Joseph’s Bones: A Collection of Stories -- visit her website -http://www.rabbisdaughter.com.

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Celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torah at Beth Israel

by BETH COHEN Beth Israel Executive Director Celebrate the fall season with the joy of Sukkot and Simchat Torah! The community is invited to attend the observances of both holidays, as well as Shemini Atzeret, at Beth Israel Synagogue. There will be activities, services and meals that you won’t want to miss!

In preparation for Sukkot, come to Beth Israel to help put up the synagogue’s sukkah on Sunday, Sept. 19.

This annual event will begin immediately following the weekly Sunday morning 9 a.m. minyan.

The first day of Sukkot is Thursday, Sept. 23. Morning services will be at 9 a.m. followed by a lunch in the synagogue’s sukkah. Lunch includes turkey, stuffing and yom tov tzimmes, and the cost for the meal is $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children ages 3 and under. Please make reservations for the lunch by contacting the office. The annual National Council of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) Sukkah Hop will take place in the neighborhood following lunch in the synagogue sukkah. For information, contact Rabbi Mizrahi. On the second day of Sukkot, Friday, Sept., 24, a Kiddush in the sukkah will follow 9 a.m. services.

Shemini Atzeret is on Thursday, Sept. 30, and will include services at 9 a.m. and Yizkor at 10:30 a.m.

Shemini Atzeret is the final day of Sukkot and represents the closing of the holiday season. During the yamim noraim, the days of awe, we are closer to God than at any other point of the year. Shemini Atzeret is thought

of as God’s way of saying to us, “Before you leave, spend just one more day with me.”

Hakafot, joyous dancing with the Torah, for Simchat Torah will begin on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7:50 p.m.

Simchat Torah celebrates both the completion and the beginning of our annual cycle of reading the Torah.

Enjoy a dairy dinner on Erev Simchat Torah following Hakafot. The menu includes Betty’s famous Mac & Cheese, tuna salad, and fabulous dairy desserts. $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children ages 3 and under. Call the synagogue office to make your reservations. Simchat Torah morning services will be held on Friday, Oct. 1, beginning at 9 a.m. Services will be followed by a Kiddush.

“Simchat Torah has become a particularly emotional holiday for me,” says Rabbi Jonathan Gross of Beth Israel. “This will be my seventh time celebrating at Beth Israel which means we have heard the whole Torah together six times. It is obvious to everyone how our level of Torah scholarship is constantly ascending, and it is a direct result of the hard work of everyone in shul. As the rabbi, I am truly proud and can’t wait to celebrate together. As a new father, I am particularly looking forward to the special aliyah, Kol Ne’arim, when all of the children of the congregation are called to the Torah.

Beth Israel boasts a membership that includes over 70 children. In a few years, we’ll need a bigger bimah!”

For reservations and more information, please call the office at 556.6288.

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This is My God

by RABBI ADIN STEINSALTZ I cannot say that I have ever rejected God. There were some years in which I was not interested, and that, perhaps, is the greatest rejection of all (much more than hostility or lack of faith). But then the world seemed too small, too confined, far too senseless without Him: To me, He is the all-embracing, all-encompassing being, the great Mystery, the transcending reality that is above, beyond and behind all that exists.

It is also true that God plays hide-and-seek with us; He hides and I must seek Him so that I can cry triumphantly: “I’ve found Him!” This rediscovery happens throughout a lifetime. There are always periods when there is a feeling of distance, almost of alienation – even if one observes the formalities of ritual and formal prayer; yet these times are followed by a renewed finding, a new love.

How can one characterize God? Whatever we say is going to be both right and wrong. All the good, beautiful and sweet things in this world are actually His attributes and every day, nay, every moment, we see Him differently. What is the color of a bubble of water?

That depends upon the angle from which I look at it; and when I gaze at it long enough, I shall see in it all the colors and hues: Great, Mighty, Compassionate, Gracious, Awesome, Un-understandable – but forever extremely close to me.

It seems to me that every human being, not just religious (or exceptionally holy) people, experiences such moments of grace – these are moments when one feels the great Presence, how God is close, nearby. This feeling is actually a lot more frequent than people think, but we cannot always identify it. Some people get this feeling from seeing or feeling any kind of sublimity. Others may just suddenly experience, without any prior preparation or knowledge, the bliss and security of this closeness.

God is not just the originator of the universe -- an entity that gave the universe an initial momentum and then left it. I believe that creation is an ongoing process; the world is being created anew each and every day, each and every instant. The world’s existence is the result of God’s constant presence within it, and there is no life and no reality without that constant Presence – at any given moment in time, in every single particle of matter.

I also believe that God supervises the smallest details and every single individual: His Providence and interest are not confined to human beings but include every created thing. And just as He is the ruler of the great galaxies, just as He is in charge of the great eras, so too He is present and oversees every movement that every human being makes, and also every flying bird, every fish in the water, every skipping grasshopper, every leaf drifting in the wind, every wisp of smoke coming out of a chimney – God watches over all these things and cares about them.

Thus, God has a plan for each and every human being

and every single creature. But I cannot know what His plan is for me. Every now and then I ask Him (and sometimes receive an answer, either directly or indirectly): What am I supposed to do now according to the plan? Have I done what You wanted me to do, or have I erred and misunderstood You? At the same time, no matter whether we acknowledge it or not, each of us has a personal relationship with God. My relationship is always personal and private; precisely because He is so infinite and unlimited, He relates personally and specifically to me. It always is a one-toone relationship, when I am by myself as well as when I am in a crowd; somehow we are always alone together.

That is why prayer, no matter the form, is so important. Prayer is always a conversation with God. It is the way we relate feelings, fears or aspirations, or make requests. There is also prayer for one’s community, for one’s own nation or for the world as a whole. And prayer can also be a different sort of conversation: an urge to say thank you, to say: how good it is that You are there.

We pray to God; in some ways, He answers us with decisions about our fates. Every person’s private reckoning, either for the good or for the bad, is far too complex, and no one is able to appraise oneself properly, let alone appraise others. Every year, there is a time of Judgment (on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, and also later) in which one’s fate for the coming year is generally determined.

But these judgments are not absolutely decisive.

Judgment and verdict are according to man’s state at that particular moment in time. When one makes a dramatic change in life, either for better or for worse, one’s verdict changes accordingly. The “book” in which God “writes and seals” judgments is, in a way, like word-processing on a computer: on any day, at any time, it is possible to change, delete and rewrite.

More than that – we can appeal. Human beings have the right (perhaps also the duty) to converse with God, to ask things from Him and also to complain to Him, to claim: “You’re not right.” It is the same right that a child has to cry and to say, “Why do other kids get more?” A human being is entitled to complain. God wants us to be honest with Him. But still and all, He cannot be judged.

August 31, 2010 Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, a world renowned scholar, author and social critic has made it his life’s mission to translate the Talmud into modern languages to return to Jews the ancient wisdom and knowledge that this is their rightful inheritance. On November 7th, Rabbi Steinsaltz will complete his 45-volume original Hebrew translation and commentary on the Talmud and Jews around the globe will come together in their communities, homes and online at www.GlobalDay.org to celebrate his accomplishment with the first worldwide, trans-denominational and non-denominational event devoted to Jewish learning.

Understanding Judaism

by MOLLY GILINSKY Judaism is a part of my life. Since I can remember my family has attended services, celebrated Jewish holidays, and believed in Jewish values. I always thought that because I did all of these things that were “Jewish”, I knew what being Jewish was all about. Well, as I have been many times before, I was wrong. I recently found out I previously had no clue what “being Jewish” is all about. Although services, holidays, and values are a part of my religion, my journey on March of the Living helped me understand Judaism to a fuller extent.

Last summer I was fortunate enough to embark on a trip through the land of Israel. During the trip our group had the opportunity to visit a Kibbutz. I had minimal previous knowledge to what a Kibbutz actually was, and therefore was amazed by the way it works. Each individual in the community is willing to do whatever it takes for the Kibbutz to thrive, even if they don’t particularly like the task they are given. They look forward to the next day to see what they can do to help those around them. The community is so close because they care about those around them more than they do themselves. After I left the Kibbutz, I was sure this was what Judaism was all about.

In April I left for March of the Living. When I arrived at the airport I saw one 109 kids, a few chaperons, and

a woman who looked to be in her eighties. When I asked who the older woman was, I was told Trudi was a survivor of Birkenau who would be traveling with us through Poland and Israel. At the time I had no idea she would be the single most influential part of March of the Living, and change my views of Judaism to such a degree.

During the first week of March of the Living we were in Poland, and traveled from concentration camp to concentration camp every day. It became very emotionally draining in the sense that I truly did not know what to feel. It is still very hard to explain the thoughts that were going through my head at that point of the trip. One day, while touring through Auschwitz, Trudi came up to me and held my hand. At that point I realized how strong she was. She voluntarily traveled through a camp which held her captive and murdered many Jewish people. I admired her for being so determined to go to these camps, but to tell you the truth, I do not know why she did it.

I finally realized why she traveled through the concentration camps when she told her story of the Holocaust in the very barracks in which she lived. Through Trudi’s story I learned that I have a responsibility to never let the Holocaust happen again to Jews or to others around Continued on page 7

September 17, 2010

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Understanding Judaism

What lessons of Holocaust mean for today

Continued from page 6 the world. Because I heard her story of the Holocaust first hand, I am able to say that it really did happen, and to make sure those awful things never reccur. Trudi also taught me that I have the opportunity to make the world a better place. I am very lucky that something as horrifying as the Holocaust is not happening in my life, and I should take advantage of that fact. Through Trudi I learned that responsibility and opportunity are also major components of Judaism.

March of the Living was a great experience not only because of Trudi, but because it teaches the past to the generation of the future. Because I experienced March of the Living for myself I met Trudi, and because I met Trudi I developed a new understanding of what “being Jewish” is all about. Although I still do not fully understand what Judaism is all about, I am looking forward to the day I can understand on a deeper level.

Editor’s note: Due to a mix-up, Molly Gilinsky’s story was inadvertently left out of the New Year’s issue. The Jewish Press regrets the omission.

by ILANA WEISS them to come and speak to the public is totally amazing.”

Institute for Holocaust Education On the final night of the series alone, more than 100 This summer, the Institute for Holocaust Education people were in attendance. Several of them were students collaborated with the Center for Jewish Education and in Kristy McGuire’s class at Millard South High School. the Kripke Library to present “Through the Eyes of a “I encouraged my students to attend the Survivor’s Survivor” – A Holocaust Speakers Series because I Survivor Speaker Series. want them to consider the On five Wednesday nights, Holocaust as more than an community members gathacademic study, more than ered to hear Survivors tell statistics, policies and geotheir thrilling stories of realgraphical locations,” life nightmares and their explained McGuire. “Those ultimate survival. topics are important but Gary Katz, Kripke Jewish understanding how the Federation Library events that occurred during Administrator stated, “It Nazi Germany and the was amazing to hear all five Holocaust impacted individSurvivors’ experiences. Each uals, families, and communione touched my soul and ties is critical in other related Rachel Rosenberg tells her survivors story. taught me that life is a preways. It is the awareness of cious gift. I want to thank them and [IHE Director] the personal impact of prejudice, stereotyping and bigotry Beth Seldin Dotan for allowing me to participate in this that I hope will cause changes in thinking and attitudes tremendous series. I hope we can continue this again.” that are applicable to them in today’s world as well.”

In all, over 130 attendees heard the first-hand Gloria Kaslow, IHE Governance Council Chairperson accounts of the Holocaust as recalled by Kitty Williams, stated, “Members of the Omaha and Lincoln survivor Rachel Rosenberg, Lou Leviticus, Fred Kader and Sam community for years have dedicated themselves to Fried. While the Institute for Holocaust Education ini- speaking to school children in order to lift the story of tially prepared space and seating for 40-50 people in the the Holocaust from the pages of history books and give Kripke Jewish Federation Library, it became obvious on it a sobering immediacy. Many in our adult community several occasions that greater space accommodations have expressed an interest in also bearing witness to needed to be made. these stories of survival, and so, the Institute for Amber Partin, who works at the Omaha Home for Holocaust Education this summer offered a series of five Boys attended all five of the lectures. “When I attended survivor talks, open to the Jewish and general commuthe Holocaust Survivor series, I was deeply moved by the nity. Those in attendance found each story incredibly amazing strength and grace that each of these men and moving and heart-wrenching, but because we know women possessed,” she said. “After every presentation, I these people and know also that each of these survivors would think to myself, ‘What can I do to keep their sto- recreated their lives from nothing, their message was ries alive and continuing down through the generations? also one of hope.”

What can I do to keep a travesty like the Holocaust from The Institute for Holocaust Education not only focusever happening again?’ The survivors opened my eyes a es on what happened, but what the lessons of the little wider to the world and I can honestly say that I Holocaust mean for today. Kaslow concluded, “Sharing carry a flame in my heart for each of them.” their personal histories makes the Holocaust an issue for Larry Kramer, who also attended each lecture today. It focuses us not just on the history, but also on remarked, “There seems to be so many people in the the human experience and challenges all of us to be betworld today who feel some sort of ‘self entitlement’ ter human beings.” about anything and everything. And here you have these Three of the five lectures will be featured on KIOSHolocaust survivors asking for nothing but to have the FM in the coming months. Information regarding those tragedy never to happen again. The speakers of the series presentations will be made available on the Institute for to me were heroic along with all the other survivors. For Holocaust Education’s website www.ihene.org.

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker yet to be announced for Wednesday, Sept.

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LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish words have made their way into every phase of modern life, show biz, law, classrooms, etc. Come join us at our new meeting room (across from the beauty salon) at the Blumkin Home, every Thurdsay, 1-3 pm.

For information, call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.

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STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24, for Sukkot; the deadline for the Oct. 1 issue is Tuesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 334.6448.

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September 17, 2010

Burning down the house

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT There isn’t much that General Petraeus, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and the Pope all agree on. In fact, pastor Jerry Jones from Gainesville, Florida, may just have earned the questionable honor of being the only person to ever make those pigs fly. His promise to burn a stack of Qurans on 9/11 was that incendiary, pun intended.

Why is it, when we live in an age when freedom of speech has been stretched to the limit, and everyone can seemingly say anything, the burning of books still stands out, and still crosses an invisible line?

Burning books is nothing new. However, if Jones threatened this purely for the sake of getting attention, he picked well. Few types of protest make people take notice as quickly as burning the written word, regardless what that written word is about. And so, attention he received. Book burnings are scary; they represent moments and places in history that we would rather not see repeated, from Caligula’s Rome to Nazi Germany, and everywhere in between.

In 34 different locations on May 10, 1933, the Nazis burned more than 20,000 volumes of “un-German” books. In retrospect, this act takes on an even more sinister meaning, since it marked the beginning of what was to come: Among those works burned were the writings of beloved nineteenth-century German Jewish poet Heinrich Heine, who wrote in his 1820-1821 play Almansor the famous admonition, “Dort, wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man am Ende auch Menschen": "Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people." (ushmm.org) During the past few years, open intolerance of Muslims has been rampant. In the wake of 9/11, it was not surprising. The terrorists –at least in their own minds—represented an

entire religion; their perversion of that religion made them crazy, and it made them kill on a grand scale. The image of those planes going into the Twin Towers combined with the knowledge that it was blind faith that caused this made an entire nation irrational with grief.

But when the smoke cleared, most of us realized that we couldn’t buy into the terrorist’s notion that they represented Islam in its entirety. Instead, we understood that, were we to combat this type of terrorism effectively, we had to eventually find common ground with those Muslims who did not condone violence of any kind. That is something that hasn’t come easy. I vividly remember driving on a Louisiana highway, seeing someone’s backyard decorated for Halloween that year. Swinging from a high branch was a life-sized doll, dressed in Muslim garb, hanging from a noose. I don’t know about the other drivers, but it made my blood run cold.

Common ground is a concept humanity has struggled with since the beginning of time. We too often take it to mean we must agree on everything, and hold exactly the same values and moral codes as our adversaries before we can coexist peacefully. That doesn’t happen without bloodshed, threats, and the corruption of civil rights. After all, we all think our personal morals and opinions are the correct ones, and we often go too much forcing them on others..

But what if we enter the discussion under the assumption that we don’t have to agree on everything, that we can agree to disagree, that

(Founded in 1920)

we can pray our own way, think our own way, believe our own way, and still respect each other? I know, it sounds naive, overly optimistic; I can hear the “yeah, rights” inside my head. But since when is optimism automatically a bad thing? I challenge anyone to find something Glenn Beck and Jon Stewart would agree on. Oh, but wait: pastor Jones did already do that for us. He found that both vehemently opposed that Quran-barbecue he was planning. Naïve, yes, but not impossible.

In a way, Terry Jones has done the nation a favor. He has reminded us all that, in spite of all the disagreements, the political grandstanding, the tea-party-people-hate-the-liberalsand-vice-versa noise, there are still some things most of us agree on.

One of them being that those who burn books burn much more than words on a page.

They burn freedom itself, and firmly close the door on reason. Luckily, there are also many who put forth the effort, for the time being, to keep that door open. And for that, I think, we should be grateful.

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by ERIC YOFFIE AND STEVEN WERNICK NEW YORK (JTA) -- We are saddened by the contempt that Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, expresses for Reform and Conservative Judaism at this High Holidays season.

The Reform and Conservative movements in Israel are small but vibrant, and growing rapidly. This growth comes despite longstanding Israeli government policy that funnels taxpayers’ money only to Orthodox institutions, forcing Conservative and Reform Jews to fend for themselves. Government recognition and equitable funding of Reform and Conservative rabbis and synagogues would lead to even faster growth, and polls consistently show that an overwhelming majority of Israelis favor such recognition.

Polls also demonstrate the massive unpopularity among Israelis of the Chief Rabbinate and its religious bureaucracy, which sanctions discrimination against the majority of world Jewry. Coercive, punitive, inefficient and often corrupt, this bureaucracy has driven Jews from Judaism and brought Torah into disrepute. We find it troubling that Rabbi Amar prefers Israelis to be secular than to identify as passionate Jews through Reform and Conservative institutions.

The Conservative and Reform movements were backbones of the Soviet Jewry movement and have remained deeply engaged in efforts to support Russian olim in Israel. We have always supported those elements of the conversion bill proposed by Knesset member David Rotem that would add flexibility to the current conversion system and truly help those

Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Eric Dunning, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Past President; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Jason Epstein; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Michael Kaufman; Jamie Meyerson; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman; Nancy Wolf.

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Israeli Chief Rabbinate is thwarting religious expression, democratic principles immigrants interested in conversion.

We doubt very much, however, that the Rotem bill would have helped Russian immigrants in a significant way. Because its demands are so stringent, it is likely that it would have helped only a few. And underlying the rhetoric about helping Russians convert halachically is a power play to grant the Chief Rabbinate far more authority over conversions than Israeli law now provides.

If the Chief Rabbinate were given total authority over conversions, we know what would happen: The Rabbinate would use this authority to change the definition of conversion under the Law of Return, overturning the status quo by rejecting Reform and Conservative conversions done in the Diaspora. Some Israeli rabbinical courts already have begun to do this. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in cases related to the rights of our converts also would be greatly limited.

Under current law, we have yet to lose such a conversion case before the Supreme Court.

But with the law changed, the Chief Rabbinate would reverse the results of our important past victories.

This explains the alarm that swept North American Jewry, where 85 percent of Jews are non-Orthodox. Rabbi Amar is fooling himself and his followers if he thinks that our movements artificially generated this anger. It was the heartfelt response of Jews throughout North America who were outraged by proposals to reject the legitimacy of our rabbis and of the way we practice our Judaism.

When Rabbi Amar asks why members of the U.S. Congress should care about this bill, he should remember that the vast majority of the Jewish caucus in Congress consists of Reform and Conservative Jews. Indeed, there are 535 senators and representatives in Congress, and

Bobbi Leibowitz President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

the great majority of the rabbis they know, the synagogues they visit and the Jews who vote for them are Reform and Conservative. They are gravely concerned when our rabbis and movements are delegitimized by the actions of the Knesset.

If Rabbi Amar and others are worried about the reactions of the American Congress, they should remember this: It is perilous to create schisms that will alienate our friends and split the Jewish people, and they should be prepared to take responsibility for their own actions.

We are stunned by the suggestion that Israel’s religious monopoly represents democratic principles. Such a system exists nowhere else in the democratic world. We appreciate Rabbi Amar’s commitment to his understanding of Jewish tradition, but we wonder why he lacks the confidence to give Israelis free choice in religious matters. The principle that should guide us is that the Jewish state should support all religious streams equally or none at all.

We have very different ideas on how to assure Jewish unity. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled in 1986 that Reform and Conservative conversions must be recognized for the purposes of obtaining Israeli citizenship. The decision noted that Israel was not founded “in order to drive a wedge into the people who dwell in Zion, and divide it into two peoples, Jews and Israelis.” When the Jewish state takes an inclusive approach to the Jewish people, unity will become possible.

At this most sacred season, let us set aside the ugliness that too often invades our hearts, and let us affirm the ties that bind us, Jew to Jew. Rabbi Eric Yoffie is president of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Steven Wernick is executive vice president and CEO of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

In opposing conversion bill, U.S. Jews practice hypocrisy, hurt Israel FOCUS ON ISSUES

by SHLOMO AMAR RISHON LEZION, Israel (JTA) -- The media has reported the opposition of the American Conservative and Reform movements and Jewish Federations of North America to the conversion bill proposed by Knesset member David Rotem. I find their opposition puzzling.

Within the framework of halachah, or Jewish law, the Rotem bill expands the scope of conversion, prevents application of stringencies unjustified by halachah, and provides greater convenience, leniency and flexibility in the administration of Israeli conversion courts. It addresses many issues raised by Orthodox rabbis considered liberal by the Israeli media and has their strong support. It is strongly supported by Yisrael Beiteinu, the secular party that represents Russian Israelis.

The bill deserves unanimous support from everyone who genuinely cares about the welfare of 300,000 nonJewish Russian Israelis. But a segment of the leadership of Jewish Federations of North American and the American Conservative and Reform movements unleashed a firestorm of opposition, soliciting e-mails from members and letters from the U.S. Congress, and successfully delaying passage of the bill.

Opponents of the Rotem bill claim that it radically changes the status quo, placing power for state-recognized conversion in Israel in the hands of the Chief Rabbinate. This is untrue. Government-recognized conversions to Judaism performed in Israel have been under the control of the Chief Rabbinate since the founding of the state in 1948. The bill merely confirms longstanding practice in response to court cases seeking to challenge the status quo.

Leaders of these American Jewish groups hoped to leverage their political power in the United States to force Israel to accede to their parochial agenda -- namely, granting Reform and Conservative conversions the official recognition accorded to Orthodox conversions.

This request might appear to be reasonable to an American Jew. It is not. The context of Jewish life in the United States is very different from Jewish life in Israel.

Rampant intermarriage in the United States explains in large part, though in no way justifies, the push for relaxed conversion standards and the Reform movement’s shock-

ing acceptance of patrilineal descent. Intermarriage is thankfully far less of a problem in the Jewish state.

Moreover, despite strenuous efforts, the Reform and Conservative movements themselves have not taken root in Israel. They arose in reaction to postEnlightenment pressure on Diaspora Jews. These pressures do not exist in Israel.

Non-Orthodox Israeli Jews may be more or less observant (“masorti”) or even totally secular (“chiloni”), but they do not need the crutch of identification with nonhalachic movements to sustain their Jewish national identities. They speak Hebrew, the language of the Jewish people, celebrate Jewish holidays and are closely bound to the collective fate of the Jewish people, courageously serving in Israel’s army. Only 1 percent identify with Reform or Conservative Judaism.

Rather than recognizing that their lack of significant progress over the past 62 years of Israeli statehood is due to a flawed product, Conservative and Reform leaders have chosen to blame the Chief Rabbinate. Ignoring democratic principles, they have improperly intervened on the Rotem bill, a matter that affects only Israelis and not American Jews. The bill has no impact outside of Israel.

Principles are not a suit of clothes to be donned and shed at convenience. It is inconsistent for the Conservative movement to insist that Israel recognize Reform conversions performed without immersion in a mikvah or circumcision when they do not recognize such conversions when performed in the United States.

The Reform movement, which argues for the absolute separation of religion and state in the United States, inconsistently insists upon official recognition of their spiritual leaders by the government of Israel.

Even more puzzling is the position of the Jewish Federations of North America. How can its leaders justify spending funds raised for charitable purposes on an ideological issue, particularly when it is so controversial?

Moreover, when they have not significantly consulted the American Orthodox movements or their own Orthodox contributors, how can they purport to be representing the entire spectrum of American Jewry?

Even critical strategic threats to the State of Israel have been ignored by opponents of the Rotem bill. A Reform Jewish leader was quoted in the JTA on July 26 as bemoaning the fact that the controversy has “even reached the U.S. Congress, causing dismay to all who love the Jewish state.” What an extraordinary statement!

The bill did not simply drift into the Capitol like a

feather borne by a random breeze. The Rotem bill came to the attention of Congress because of the determined lobbying efforts of its opponents -- the same people who now claim they are distressed by the damage to U.S.Israeli relations. U.S. congressmen do not spontaneously take an interest in internal Israeli religious issues that do not affect their constituents.

Yet despite the looming Iranian nuclear crisis endangering the very existence of the State of Israel, the bill’s opponents jeopardized Israel’s congressional support, placing their movement’s narrow concerns above the security of the Jewish state. Ironically, they used coercive measures -a sin they habitually attribute to the Chief Rabbinate -- to deny the democratically elected Knesset the independent right to determine rules governing Jewish descent in Israel, even though they independently decreed that patrilineal descent determines Jewish identity in the United States.

Finally, let us consider what would happen if efforts to change the status quo are successful. The results would be catastrophic for Jewish unity. Non-halachic conversions could throw into question the Jewish lineage and hence the Jewish credentials of non-Orthodox Jews. Orthodox Jews might be forced to maintain their own lineage lists and marry only within the Orthodox community.

This nightmare scenario is not far-fetched. It has occurred several times in the course of Jewish history, when deviant Jewish sects -- which, not coincidentally, have disappeared -- strayed from traditional practices relating to conversion, marriage and divorce.

It is self-evident that Israel’s laws should be determined only by its residents, who defend its security and bear its burdens. But permit me to suggest an ethical alternative to our Jewish brethren in the Diaspora: Immigrate to Israel.

All Jews are welcome: secular, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. They are our brothers and sisters, and we will greet them with great joy. As citizens they would then legitimately be entitled to struggle to enact their views into law.

Until such time, they should stop opposing the Rotem bill and allow it to pass in January. Their opposition already has caused great damage to tens of thousands of Russian Israelis who wish to join the Jewish people.

As the Day of Atonement nears, all of us should pray for the unity of the Jewish people and ask the Almighty to forgive the sins of our callous hearts.

Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar is the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel.

like a study evening for Shavuot in the local public junior high, a Tu B’Shvat Seder in a local public primary school, and a communal Yom Kippur service at the local JCC. Like a number of the more gifted of these young rabbis, Rabbi Lior frequently writes a column for one of the Shabbat pamphlets that can be found in abundance at most Israeli synagogues. Below, I translate some of Rabbi Lior’s remarks concerning the significance of Elul, the last Hebrew month of the year (whose first day was on Thursday August 12).

We have a tendency sometimes to miss the big picture because of the little details, which are necessary but also bothersome. We know this feeling from all areas of life.

For example, the prospective joy of the Passover holiday gives way to the stress of the onerous cleaning preparations, and the exciting prospect of a shared life together gives way to the pressures of family politics and the thousands of tiny details attendant to the upcoming wedding. The month of Elul also falls victim to this phenomenon. The days of Elul are supposed to be days of mercy and penitential prayers, days of divine love and forgiveness. However, for many of us, Elul signifies something else. The days of Elul become “days of awe” not in the original sense of “wonder and amazement,” but in the sense of days filled with sorrow and pain. A month of mercy and forgiveness becomes a month of punishment and rebuke.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Our tradition teaches us

that these are days when “the King is in the field” (a reference to this time of years as being particularly apposite for repentance), and as such, a time suffused with graciousness. Elul is a time to free oneself from unpleasant burdens. These are days when we are welcomed back to being God’s children. Most essentially in Elul, we have a rendezvous with the Lord of the Universe, a chance to again touch the great truth of our lives.

In advance of such a meeting we need to prepare. We need to open the backpack that we have carried over our shoulders throughout the year and discover what’s in it.

We don’t want to meet our Lord while struggling under a heavy weight of sin. However, the search through our personal backpack is not designed to “catch” us and our faults; it is designed to plant within us the hope of renewal. The sounds of these days are not the depressive sounds of “we have sinned, we have rebelled.” The sounds of Elul are saturated with the certainty that God is “The Lord of Forgiveness.”‘ A great meeting with the King of Kings approaches—it’s impossible not to be happy.

Teddy Weinberger made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children.

Their oldest two, Nathan and Rebecca, recently completed mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces; their daughter Ruthie is still serving in the IDF. Weinberger can be reached at weinross@netvis ion.net.il.

The words of Rabbi Lior

JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL

by TEDDY WEINBERGER “There Is No Torah Like the Torah from the Land of Israel” (Midrash Genesis Rabbah, Ch. 16) Throughout Israel there is a generation of young national-religious rabbis who are working to make a difference in Israeli society. The disengagement from Gaza five years ago was a wake-up call for many of these rabbis. Though they were adamantly against the disengagement, they learned much from it. The disengagement, backed by a majority of Israel’s citizens, showed national-religious leaders how out of touch they had become with the general Israeli population.

A number of rabbis have risen to the challenge and have left their all-religious communities in order to go out into Israeli society. Rabbi Lior Engelman (38) is one of these rabbis. Two years ago, Rabbi Lior and his wife Einat and their five children moved to Givat Ze’ev from Psagot, a religious settlement in the West Bank. In the span of two years, with a dedicated group of followers and supporters, Rabbi Lior has indeed reached out to the general population of Givat Ze’ev--through activities

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Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

September 17, 2010

Candlelighting Friday, September 17, 7:12 p.m.

Wednesday, September 22, 7:03 p.m.

Thursday, September 23, 8:01 p.m.

Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Kol Nidre services, 7:30 p.m. with guest, Dr. Leonard Greenspoon.

SATURDAY: Services, 10:30 a.m. with guest speaker Dr. Oliver Pollak; concluding service and Break-the-fast potluck, 5:30 p.m.

Please call Sandra at 323.8885 to RSVP and let us know what dish you’d like to bring.

All services led by Jeffrey Taxman.

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

The Neighborhood Prayer Group 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org

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BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Kol Nidre, 7:40 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m.; Alternative service, 9:45 a.m.; Study session, 5:15 p.m. with Rabbi Jules Harlow; MinhaNe’ilah service, 6:15 p.m.; Children’s procession, 7:50 p.m.; Sounding of the Shofar, 8 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Men’s Club SukkahBuilding, 8 a.m. All assistance is welcome; Bible Study Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; BESTT Chaverim, Kadima and USY Sukkah decorating, 1 p.m.

BESTT: No classes on Sunday (pre-K-7), or Sept. 22 (3– 7).

MONDAY: Men’s Club Executive board meeting, 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Sukkot Challah pick-up date at the synagogue.

WEDNESDAY: Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Morning, 9:30 a.m.; CSA pick-up for shareholders, 4:30 p.m. at the synagogue; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m..

SHABBAT TUNES & TALES: Saturday, Sept. 25, 11:15 a.m., Sing-along, led by Miss Patty, for children up to age five and their favorite adult(s). No charge to attend.

TOT SHABBAT & SAY SHALOM TO SHABBAT: On Friday, Oct. 1, 6 p.m. Service is followed by dinner. For reservations made by Wednesday, Sept.

29, dinner cost is $5 for Beth El members, $7.50 for non-members; after that, the cost is $10, and $15, respectively. No charge

for children six and younger. To RSVP, contact Margie in the office, or at programming@beth el-omaha.org.

All Beth El classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 6:40 a.m.; Synagogue office closes at noon; Mincha, 5 p.m.; Kol Nidre, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah reading, 9:30 a.m. followed by sermon, 10 a.m., and Yizkor service; The Book of Yonah, a class with Rabbi Gross, 5 p.m.; Mincha, 6 p.m.; Neilah, 7:10 p.m.; Fast Ends, 8:10 p.m. There will be a meal to break the fast at the synagogue.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Building the synaogue sukkah will follow.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:03 p.m.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m., followed by lunch in the sukkah; Mincha, 7 p.m.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Service, 7 a.m.; Kol Nidre, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 4:30 p.m.; Neila, 7:30 p.m.; Holiday ends, 8:10 p.m.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Lulav and Esrog sets available for purchase of $36. Order and pick up at Chabad. Call 330.1800; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Service, 10 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon in the Sukkah, noon; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, Sept. 24: Service, 10

a.m.; Kiddush luncheon in the Sukkah, noon.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Yom Kippur Evening Service, 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel.

SATURDAY: Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10 a.m.; Yom Kippur Afternoon Service, 3 p.m.; Yom Kippur Children’s Service (concurrent with readings) 3:30 p.m.; all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Break-the-Fast Potluck, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan-K, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple.

TUESDAY: Women’s Lunch Group, noon at the Lone Star.

WEDNESDAY: No Hebrew classes due to Sukkot.

invited to attend Services.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Sitter Service, 7 p.m.; Kol Nidre Service, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Children’s service, 9 a.m.; Tot Service, 9 a.m.; Sitter Service, 9:45 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:15 a.m.; Alternative Service, 10:15 a.m. led by Rabbi Linder and OTYG members; panel discussion immediately following morning service; Musical Interlude, 1:45 p.m.; Moments of Remembrance, 2:30 p.m.; Walk of Reflection, 2:30 p.m.; Afternon service/Yizkor /Neilah/Havdalah, 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: No Religious School.

TUESDAY: Executive Meeting, 6 p.m.; Board of Trustees, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; Erev Sukkot service, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Family School Dinner in the Sukkah, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Breakfast in the Sukkah, 9 a.m.; Sukkot Service, 10:30 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER GROUP There will be no services starting Sept. 10 until after Simchat Torah.

Services will resume Oct. 9.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Kol Nidre, 7 p.m. led

by Andy Greenberg.

SATURDAY: Yom Kippur Services with Yizkor, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg; Mincha & Neilah, 4:30 p.m. led by Marti Nerenstone.

THURSDAY: Sukkot Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.

FRIDAY: Sukkot Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.

Services will be held in the Chapel.

Members of the community are

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

FRIDAY: Kol Nidre, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Yom Kippur, 9 a.m.; Jr. Congregation, 11 a.m.noon; Mincha/Neila, 6:15 p.m.; Havdalah/Break-the-fast, 8:15 p.m.

Babysitting is available during the High Holidays.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gan-K, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple.

TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch, noon at the Lone Star Steakhouse, 200 N. 70th St. Contact Stephanie Dohner at dohners@windstream.net with any questions; Board of Directors meeting, 7 p.m.

SUKKAH HOP - SUNDAY, SEPT. 26 Sponsored by Omaha’s three synagogues. Temple Israel: snacks at 3 p.m.; Beth Israel: soup and salad at 4:15 p.m.; Beth El: pizza and lasagna at 5:30 p.m.; Blumkin Home: dessert and entertainment provided by Tuffy Epstein at 6:45 p.m. Cost, $5 per person. RSVP to your synagogue.

More Celebrations as Holidays Continue at Temple Israel

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator As the final Tekiah Gedolah pierces the solemnity of Yom Kippur, proclaiming the conclusion of the High Holy Days, it’s time to set up the Sukkah. Sukkot arrives on Wednesday evening, Sept. 22. Temple Israel welcomes families and friends to the 6 p.m. holiday worship service.

After prayers in the Sukkah with the lulav and etrog, Family School participants will enjoy dinner together in the Sukkah (weather permitting).

All those who attend the Sukkot service are asked to bring nonperishable healthy food to be donated to Together, Inc. and the

Jewish Family Service pantry.

On Sukkot, Thursday, Sept. 23, have breakfast in the Milder Center at 9 a.m. and then attend the worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the Livingston Chapel. Please make a reservation for breakfast by calling the Temple office, 556.6536.

A week later, Simchat Torah makes its lively appearance at the synagogue as we rejoice in the giving of the Torah. Kindergartners and other students who have not yet been consecrated will participate in the 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 29 service at Temple. As their families make a formal commitment to their children’s Jewish education, the Torah scrolls will be paraded in joyous hakafot celebrations around the sanctuary.

Consecrants include Marissa and Vanessa Cooper, daughters of Justin and Joan Cooper; Noemi Gilbert, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Gilbert; Reagan Koom, son of Brandon and Jennifer Koom; Alex Kugler, son of Lance and Traci Kugler; Ashley Mason, daughter of Brian Mason and Joy SchwarzMason; Ainsley Meyerson, daughter of Troy and Jamie Meyerson; Gregory Sacks, son of Scott and Jamie Sacks; Mendel Wright, son of Jeremy and Annette van de KampWright; and Ella Zuber, daughter

of Steven and Aubrey Zuber.

Tuffy Epstein’s group will provide spirited music to add to the merriment topped off by an ice cream oneg.

Once again, please bring nonperishable healthy food to be donated to Together, Inc. and the Jewish Family Service pantry.

On the following day, Simchat Torah, Thursday, Sept. 30, worship services begin at 10:30 a.m.

If you have any names you wish to be recited during yizkor, please call the Temple office at 556.5636.

MEMORIAL SERVICES Sunday, Sept. 20 Temple Israel Cemetery, 6412 No. 42 St., 1 p.m.

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September 17, 2010

Guideline to reverence

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Many of us find it hard to offer prayer in the words of previous generations: “Who shall live and who shall die, who shall become rich and who shall become poor?”

But prayers of this kind, if we take them somewhat less than literally, express in marvelous words and impressive insights the mystery of life, the uncertainties within it, and the fragile character of man’s breath.

Another such passage is this: “Now, O Lord our God, imbue all your creatures with fear of You, and with awe all whom You have created.” But Jewish tradition has it that man must make the choice himself and that God cannot impose His fear on us!

There is no way out of this intellectual inconsistency, where we ask God to make us revere Him. The point seems to be that we ought to let our lives be guided by reverence for God, rather than by the brittle and superficial standards of marketplace and street and club.

I hazard these guidelines to help us live life with reverence: I think that we must meet life joyously, but not frivolously. The Torah reading on Rosh HaShanah sees Ishmael sent away from Abraham’s home, and it was because he viewed life scoffingly, frivolously. He was a “metzahek”, a scoffer. But notice that Isaac, who was to carry on the tradition, was “Yitzhak”, the one “who will laugh” during his life. It is in that narrow choice, between joy and frivolity, that we must make our decision.

I think, second, that we must meet life bravely, but not rashly. The Israelites who traversed the wilderness with Moses, who entered the land with Joshua, who stood with David, who stood by the prophets Amos and Jeremiah and many others, lived bravely, manfully, but not rashly: for they stood for the highest value of their time and all time. They offered their lives only for ideals of the highest import.

And third, we might say that we are to meet life compassionately, but not supinely. It has been remarked that the spiritual atmosphere of the East produced religions which desire to reach life-without-desire, to reach that kind of quiet contemplation in which there will be no human desires. The religions of the East produced Yoga; but the spirit of Israel produced the prophets. Prophetic religion demands that we look at life compassionately, for we look on all human beings as our brothers. And yet we are not to live life supinely, without desire. On the contrary, prophetic religion calls for the greatest love for mankind, exercised in the unremitting battle against the enemies of mankind. And these enemies are poverty, ignorance, disease, deprivation, and, most of all, oppression and inhumanity. Compassion includes indignation, to extirpate these enemies of human life.

Prophetic religion demands that in our compassion there be no rest for our conscience.

Accept life joyously, live it bravely, experience it compassionately – these spell out the life of reverence, the life of awe.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is pleased to announce the 12th Annual Art Auction, which includes the Underground Auction on Nov. 4 from 7-9 p.m. and the Gala Art Auction on November 6th from 5:3010 p.m. The Bemis Center is located at 12th and Leavenworth. The exhibition opens on Friday, Oct. 8 from 6-9 p.m. For more information, please call 402.341.7130.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 23 and 24, for Sukkot; the deadline for the Oct. 1 issue is Tuesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 334.6448.

B’nai B’rith annual sukkah building and decorating event

by TOBYE SWICHKOW for the Henry Monsky Lodge-B’nai B’rith In preparation for Sukkot, the members of Henry Monsky Lodge #3306 B’nai B’rith together with the members of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), will build and decorate sukkahs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the Child Development Center and Friedel Academy. The annual event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 11:30 a.m.

Volunteers will meet at the Youth Lounge in the Jewish Community Center. Monsky Lodge will supply the building materials and decorations for the sukkahs and will also provide a pizza lunch for all volunteers.

According to Monsky Lodge President, Gary Javitch, “To celebrate the holiday, come on out on Sunday the 19th. Anybody can come; you are welcome to join us. It’s a great chance to have fun, do a mitzvah, meet some new people and get a free lunch.”

Since volunteers will be handling tree branches as they build sukkahs, they are encouraged to bring a pair of gloves to wear. For more information about the event, please call Tobye at the B’nai B’rith Office, 334.6443 or Anne Muskin at 334.6404.

More sensational finds at Herodium

by EDGAR ASHER (ISRANET) Further excavations at the Herodium (Herodion in Greek) National Park have revealed a private theater with a ‘royal box’ built at the upper level of King Herod’s private theater at the site. The latest excavations are a further indication of the luxurious lifestyle favored by the famed Judean monarch.

The excavations, at the eastern edge of Gush Etzion near Jerusalem, were conducted by Prof. Ehud Netzer under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Institute of Archaeology.

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The theater, first revealed during the years 2008-2009, is located halfway up the hill close to Herod’s mausoleum, whose exposure in 2007 aroused worldwide attention. The royal box is the central space among a group of rooms attached to the upper part of the theater’s structure. This impressive room doubtlessly hosted the king, his close friends and family members during performances in the theater and was fully open towards the stage.

Its back and side walls are adorned with an elaborate scheme of wall paintings and plaster moldings in a style that has not been seen thus far in Israel. The opening of the royal box site to the public will only take place after a special protective structure will be built around the room.

13th annual Women’s conference focuses on surviving “Surviving and Thriving: Finding Strength in Difficult Times,” will be the focus of the 13th annual Omaha Women’s Health and Wellness Conference on Friday, Oct. 1, held at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.

The conference, which is open to the public, will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of the conference is $49, which includes breakfast, lunch, lectures, and exhibits. Health screenings will be offered at a minimal cost. Registration deadline is Sept. 24. For more information about the conference or for a registration form, call the Olson Center for Women’s Health at 402.559.6345, or logon to www.olsoncenter.com and click on “wellness conference.”

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

September 17, 2010

Project Etgar curriculum offers Beth El youth meaningful, hands-on learning “Shuk” (marketplace), each one offering different symbols and rituals associated with the practice of Judaism. One station allowed the youngsters to browse through and examine a variety of attire, including tallises, tefillin, kippot and other head coverings (including a tied handkerchief commonly used in Cuba).

Another one gave students an up-close look at a Torah scroll and all of the accessories which adorn it. They had an opportunity to peruse the Torah scroll, searching for the letters in their Hebrew names and trying to recognize words; they also were able to examine the Megillah of Esther, tefillin scrolls and a mezuzah parchment.

At the “Volumes” station, several sacred texts of Judaism were displayed on a table. Rabbi Levin explained the significance of each, and asked students to compare and contrast their various styles. They were also asked to look Rabbi Maximo Schechet talks to, from left, Natalie Pichik, through a volume and Jason Gallagher (partially hidden), Ally Kavich and Cali find any Hebrew word that means “God.” The Epstein, about ritual attire used in Judaism. fourth station was filled with various items that are used to perform Jewish rituals, such as a Kiddush cup, menorah, Shabbat candles and a shofar.

At the conclusion of each activity, an appropriate bracha was recited, such as the Shehechiyanu, and the blessings for study, for donning a tallit and for the grape juice, which they sampled at the objects station.

Rabbi Mordechai Levin enlightens Adam Lehman, Eliana The Project Etgar Schuller and Jake Spivack, about Jewish sacred texts. learning experience is curriculum for synagogue middle-school valuable to the children, Rubin said, students sponsored jointly by the United because, “It speaks to their developmenSynagogue of Conservative Judaism and tal needs and reaches all types of learnthe Melton Research Center of the ers.” The program has been developed Jewish Theological Seminary of America. specifically to meet the educational needs The curriculum features student-centered of middle school students, and is utilized learning which integrates projects, art, by students in the fifth to eighth grades. music, films, games, primary text study “Students are encouraged to work in and other meaningful activities. groups or hevruta (partners), a traditionAccording to Beth El Education al mode of Jewish study,” she explained.

Director Judy Bisman Rubin, BESTT was “This type of learning is also experienced able to offer Project Etgar thanks to a in their secular studies and it's very grant from the Dan Gordman Fund. engaging and quite different from what Rubin and other participating faculty they have experienced in prior years in members received curriculum training at their Jewish learning.” the Jewish Theological Seminary in New Down the road for the Project Etgar York City, as well as through webinar ses- participants: fifth and sixth grade stusions. dents will attend several sessions with The first Project Etgar program of this Rabbi Levin, during which they will disschool year took place earlier this month, cuss the sacred books they have been featuring a visit to “Chag Worts School” studying, and will learn about the differ(using a twist on the Harry Potter name) ent characteristics (calligraphy, differin the synagogue’s West Court. There, ences in the text) of the Torah. Seventh fifth and sixth grade students were greet- graders will share a “Meal of Many ed by faculty members donning festive, Blessings,” during which they will sample pointy wizard hats and in one case, a a variety of foods, along with their long, bright purple cape. In addition to accompanying blessing; and eighth-grade Rubin, Rabbi Mordechai Levin, plus fac- students will take an in-depth look at the ulty members Andy Greenberg and social and political issues that face Israel Deborah Kronick, the afternoon’s activi- today. ties were facilitated by volunteers Nancy “This program connects students with Skid, Michael Gerson and Rabbi Maximo Judaism in meaningful ways that other Schechet. curricula cannot,” Rubin said. “We’re During the afternoon, students visited grateful to have this valuable learning four different stations at the Chag Worts vehicle for our students at Beth El.”

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator When Beth El’s Talmud Torah (BESTT) signed on two years ago as a pilot school for Project Etgar, it did so in the hopes of offering middle-school students a new, exciting, hands-on curriculum. It hasn’t disappointed. Students have enjoyed innovative, experiential learning opportunities through the program, the first full-service Conservative

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