Vol. LXXXVIII No. 2 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 87 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Klutznick-Harris Symposium to focus on “Rites of Passage” by LEONARD GREENSPOON Jewish Sacred Practices. Chairholder, Klutznick Chair She has a special interest in in Jewish Civilization, Creighton University ritual innovation. In describReaders of this newspaper are ing her own personal familiar with notices of births, bar involvement, she says, “It and bat mitzvahs, weddings, and was my engagement with deaths scattered throughout almost the Jewish healing moveevery issue. This is one of the ways ment that really opened my that our community celebrates and eyes to the many aspects of commemorates important events in our lives that didn’t have a the lives of individuals. Jewish response, but actually These rites of passage are also the could.” topic of this year’s Klutznick-Harris Professor Ochs asks, “What Symposium, the 21st in the longif we could enter into medrunning series: “Rites of Passage: ical treatments or mark their How Today’s Jews Celebrate, completion with greater Commemorate, and Commiserate.” hope by studying Jewish texts, focusing on Jewish The keynote speaker for this year’s Vanessa Ochs meditations and saying Symposium is Dr. Vanessa L. Ochs, a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the Jewish blessings that were either quite traditional or sufUniversity of Virginia. ficiently rooted in traditions? So I began to see ritual Professor Ochs’ address, titled “New Jewish innovation in a freer way than before -- it was about Traditions: The Ones That Stick and the Ones That expanding Jewish expression.” Don’t,” will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., As a result, people have turned to Ochs to help them in the theater at the Jewish Community Center. in constructing and observing innovations. Her new Professor Ochs is exceptionally well qualified to talk book chronicles many examples of this. Her engaging about this topic. Her most recent book, published last style as a writer is matched by her warmth as a speaker, year by the Jewish Publication Society, is Inventing and she is frequently on the road, appearing before both Jewish Ritual, for which she received a prestigious popular and academic audiences. On a personal note, Vanessa Ochs is married to theNational Jewish Book Award. She has also authored or co-authored other well-received volumes, including ologian Peter Ochs. Together, they “tend a garden of Sarah Laughed, The Jewish Dream Book, and The Book of Continued on page 3
OU threatens to suspend supervision PETA video costs Agriprocessors support of animal welfare expert by BEN HARRIS shared knowledge that NEW YORK (JTA) -Agriprocessors employed Following the filing of undocumented aliens,” criminal charges against said the affidavit filed owners of the kosher meat Tuesday in Allamakee producer Agriprocessors, County District Court. “It the Orthodox Union says was likewise shared knowlit will withdraw its kosher edge among the defencertification of the compadants that many of those ny within two weeks workers were minors. The unless new management is company’s hiring practices hired. encouraged job applicants “Within the coming to submit identification days, or lets say a week or documents which were two, we will suspend our forgeries, and known to supervision unless there’s contain false information new management in as to resident alien status, place,” said Rabbi The Agriprocessors kosher meat plant in Postville, Iowa age and identity.” Credit:Ben Harris The alleged violations, Menachem Genack, the O.U.’s head of kosher supervision. which date back to September 2007, are each punishable Genack’s comments came just hours after Iowa’s attor- by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of between $65 and ney general filed criminal charges against Agriprocessors $625, the attorney general’s office said. and its owner, Aaron Rubashkin, for child-labor violaAgriprocessors has been under the gun since a raid on tions. May 12 resulted in the arrest of nearly 400 employees on On Sept. 9, the attorney general’s office charged illegal immigration charges. Following the raid, employRubashkin, his son Sholom, and three human resources ees alleged they were shorted on pay, forced to work long employees with more than 9,000 violations of Iowa's hours and were the targets of sustained sexual harassment. Child Labor law, according to a statement from the attorIn May, the company announced that the Postville ney general’s office. plant’s manager, Sholom Rubashkin, would be replaced. Former workers had alleged child labor violations at Months later, Rubashkin is still a regular presence at the Agriprocessors almost immediately after a massive immi- plant and no replacement has been named. gration raid at the plant in Postville, Iowa, the country's The attorney general’s complaint represents the first largest kosher meatpacking plant. The company has criminal charges to be brought against the company’s denied having knowingly hired underage workers. owner and senior management. “All of the named individual defendants possessed Continued on page 4
Inside
19 Elul, 5768
September 19, 2008
Jewish ritual as therapy?
Rabbi/psychotherapist tells the grieving how by OZZIE NOGG for Jewish Family Service Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW, author of Mourning & Mitzvah: Walking the Mourner’s Path, will bring her message to Omaha on Thursday, Oct. 16. The presentation -- Transforming the Wilderness of Grief -- will run from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center Social Hall. On Friday, Oct. 17, 8:3011:30 a.m., Rabbi Brener will hold an inservice workshop for clinicians, social workers and mental health professionals in the JCC Social Hall, and includes a continental breakfast sponsored by Omaha’s Jewish Funeral Home A Los Rabbi Anne Brener Angeles-based Spiritual Director, psychotherapist, writer and teacher, Rabbi Brener is an authority on the relationship between psychotherapy and spirituality and assists institutions in creating caring communities. She also trains psychotherapists to integrate spirituality and Judaica in their clinical work, and helps Rabbinical students to engage the therapeutic impact of Jewish ritual and practice. Rabbi Brener is a faculty member of the Academy for Jewish Religion, Hebrew Union College/ LA and holds graduate degrees in Social Work, Communications, Hebrew Letters and Jewish Communal Service. In the preface to Mourning & Mitzvah, Rabbi Brener explains that the book began with her own struggle to deal with losses she suffered while still in her early twenties. “Among these,” she writes, “were the suicide of my mother, followed three months later by a car accident that killed my nineteen-year old sister -- my only sibling.” These tragedies led Brener on a personal search for ways to ease her pain. “That my search for healing has led me to the path of my ancestors speaks of the wisdom of the ancient Jewish mourning traditions. They can be as effective today as they were 2,000 years ago,” she explained. According to Karen Gustafson, LMHP, director of Jewish Family Service, “Rabbi Brener offers therapeutic tools that can empower us as we confront bereavement and the grieving process. Her presentation will benefit everyone who has experienced loss and is searching for a healing path guided by Jewish tradition. We encourage you to attend this very meaningful presentation.” Two follow-up sessions designed to help participants process personal loss are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 11, 7-8:30 p.m. in the JCC Community Room. Facilitators are Gustafson, Shelly Fox, MSW, and Shane Kotok, CSW/MS. The program, under the auspices of Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Services, is free and open to the community thanks to the support of the Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Co-sponsors of the event are Beth El, Beth Israel and Temple Israel. For more information about the community event or the follow-up sessions, call JFS at 334.6490.
This Week: Monthly Calendar for October: Pages 10-11 Coming Next Week: New Year’s issue: “Jews and Politics”
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 16
Former Pakistani Ambassador meets with local religious leaders: Page 2
Family cookbook recalls the past with New Year recipies: Pages 8 & 12
ADL looking for a new generation of leadership: Page 15
Page 2
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Septemebr 19, 2008
Former Pakistan Ambassador to U.K. to visit Jewish community at Temple Israel
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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Akbar Ahmed, Pakistan's former ambassador to the United Kingdom, has been invited to share breakfast and conversation with the Jewish community on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m. at Temple Israel. “I extended an invitation to the (former) ambassador as part of our conversation with the Moslem world,� said Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. “Our work with our tri-faith partners will continue throughout the year. Conversations are the beginning of relationships.� Dr. Ahmed is a renowned Akbar Ahmed anthropologist and the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University in Washington, D.C., in the School of International Service. He is currently on a one-year sabbatical to research life for Muslims in America and the attitudes and perceptions of Americans regarding their Muslim neighbors. His cross-country ethnographic study will take Ahmed and his young American team to more than 30 American towns and cities, including Omaha, through next summer. Ahmed’s trip will include meetings with religious leaders of all denominations, in-depth interviews with Muslims and their non-Muslims neighbors and interfaith dialogues at leading universities across the country. From a mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is said to be the oldest existing mosque in the United States, to the bright lights of Las Vegas, Ahmed and his students will visit mosques, churches, community centers, and schools in small-town rural America and big cities. As he explores the Muslim community, Ahmed and
Israeli women stung by urban angst in ‘Jellyfish’
hotel barely overlooking the Mediterranean. Imprisoned, in a sense, with each other, they face their first test as newlyweds. by MICHAEL FOX Meanwhile, a caretaker named Joy (Ma-nenita De Acclaimed fiction writers Etgar Keret and Shira Latorre) moves from one elderly client to the next, Geffen’s marvelous debut feature, Jellyfish, is an even yearning to be home with her son in the Philippines and greater triumph than the excellent Israeli films Beaufort not bothering to learn more than a few words of and The Band’s Visit that preceded it into American the- Hebrew. aters this year. The paths of the three women occasionally cross -At the same time, the Tel Aviv-set film is the least Batya literally runs into Joy, knocking the contents of Israeli of the three, in that it could take place in any city her purse onto the sidewalk -- but the filmmakers don’t in the world where daughters disappoint their mothers overdo the coincidences. It is enough that the characters (and vice versa), communication is fractured and frus- endure the same environment, one that offers neither trated and grand dreams have shrunk to simply getting respite from nor a cure for their malaise. through the day withCuriously, for all the anguish out succumbing to on or just below the surface, depression. Jellyfish is never a downer. Nor Tinged with surrealis it a morality play or an ism yet adroitly situatempowerment fable or a protoed just this side of feminist tragedy. absurdism, Jellyfish is The film might be described both an ambitious and as a postmodern slice of cake, a ethereal movie. From clever and witty approximation the opening shot it of a state of mind. Indeed, the strikes a tone of delicastate of detachment, apathy cy but not fragility that and inertia evoked in Jellyfish is rarely achieved in Gera Sandler as Michael and Noa Knoller as Keren in Jellyfish, may be uniquely Israeli -- faca film by Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen. Credit: Zeitgeist Films ing the sea, and turning their movies. Jellyfish simultaneously tells a trio of unconnected sto- backs to the country and its problems, the characters ries, following three women through seemingly ordinary reject reality -- but it also feels universal and of the yet pivotal junctures in their lives. Empathetic but moment. unsentimental, pointed but never cruel, the film manJellyfish is part of a long chain of movies that have ages to be simultaneously urgent and dreamlike. plumbed the anonymity and callousness of the big city, Jellyfish won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film and the endless opportunities for fortuitous (even coinFestival last year for best first feature. cidental) meetings that lead to friendship, love or transThe movie, which Geffen scripted, begins with a formation. In each of the threads of this movie’s narrawaifish young woman named Batya (Sarah Adler) tive, an unrelated person becomes a catalyst for a charnumbly standing by as her boyfriend moves out. She acter’s epiphany or reinvigoration. seems to be in a state of shock, but we soon come to see As befits a postmodern tale, Geffen and Keret don’t that she is pretty much always passive and distracted. wrap everything up in a happy ending with a bow. Batya works as a waitress for a caterer, and a lengthy Jellyfish is a movie that -- like a collection of short stowedding reception presents numerous opportunities for ries -- asks to be decrypted, discussed and taken into her to be humiliated or ignored. The bride gets treated one’s heart. only slightly better, abandoned on the dance floor and Jellyfish plays Thursday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., at the then accidentally locked in the bathroom while a dance JCC. Tickets are $6 and may be purchased in advance by tune drowns out her calls for help (not that anyone calling Gary Katz at the Kripke Jewish Federation seems to miss her). Library at 334.6462 or e-mailing hinm at: gkatz@jewKeren (Noa Knoller) and Michael (Gera Sandler) end ishomaha.org. up spending their honeymoon trapped in a nightmarish Michael Fox is a film critic in Northern California.
FILM REVIEW
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his team will examine culture, society, and politics making comparisons with other commentators like Alexis de Tocqueville, according to American University media relations. De Tocqueville was a 19th century French political thinker and historian best known for Democracy in America, which he wrote after his travels in the United States. “America has been so generous to me,� said Ahmed. “This is one way to pay my tribute to the country that I have come to know and love, a land shaped by its great founding fathers -- Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin.� Ahmed plans to compile the results of his indepth interviews, questionnaires, and observations for a new book, Journey into America. A visiting professor at the Institute for Advanced study at Princeton University, Ahmed taught there and at Harvard and Cambridge. He received his PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University, his MA and diploma in education from Cambridge University, and his bachelor of social sciences from Birmingham University. In December 2006, Ahmed led a Muslim delegation to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., and is a member of the Incident Management Team for the Department of Homeland Security. In 2006, he shared honors with Judea Pearl, father of murdered Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, for work on interfaith dialogue. Ahmed and his family will be honored at the National Cathedral in November at the 29th InterFaith Concert, a celebration of the sacred in song, dance, and chant of nine world religions. Ahmed is the former high commissioner of Pakistan to Great Britain and has advised Prince Charles and met with President George W. Bush on Islam. Author of more than 30 books, Ahmed is regularly interviewed on CNN, BBC, and other networks and has appeared several times on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Nightline.
Kearney, NE 68848
www.bdconstruction.com
September 19, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 3
Blumkin Home about “life and living”
ready for occupancy, the residents and staff will benefit from the bright, cheerful surroundings. Joanie Bernstein, past president of the RBJH Board, praised the designers of the new wing for their creativity. “Without changing the basic footprint of the original unit, the architects took what was a dark, rather cramped space and opened it up. The hallways are shorter. The colors are brighter. The ceilings are higher. The tall windows that eventually will be part of Main Street, alA portion of the Blumkin Home's northwest wing shows the entrance to the ready bring unit and the raised roof that will bring natural light into Main Street of the the outside RBJH -- the new public entrance to the Home facing 132nd St. inside. Even home if it’s built to resemble living in with the lights off the unit is bright. The one’s own house. Providing protection transformation is truly amazing.” from wind, rain, snow and the heat of the The updated Northwest Unit includes summer sun poses little challenge. The eight single resident rooms and eight real difficulty lies with creating an effec- double rooms, each with a modern, fully tive social shelter.” equipped private bathroom. The Unit Like Dr. Thomas, many other profes- also contains its own tastefully appointed sionals in the field of geriatrics maintain dining space, a sun room, spa and lounge that older people stay active and vital in with a large-screen TV. Each resident an atmosphere that is real life, not hospi- room is conveniently located near these tal life. What they require is an environ- social spaces. ment -- a shelter -- that promotes inde“The unit has a warm, friendly feel,” pendence and involvement. The soon-to- Bernstein continued. “There will be lots be-completed Northwest Unit of the of artwork, natural materials, textures and Rose Blumkin Jewish Home reflects that patterns, as well as clear signage to help philosophy, and when the new space is residents understand where they are and
by OZZIE NOGG In his book, What Are Old People For? How Elders Will Save the World, Dr. William H. Thomas provides a vision based on a simple idea: Old age, like all the other phases of our lives, should be about life and living. “Older people,” Dr. Thomas writes, “will thrive in a nursing
how to safely get to their destination and back.” A major design change puts the nurses’ station at the entrance to the Unit. “The station is more like a reception area,” said Mike Silverman, Blumkin Home Executive Director. “Visitors can check in and get updates about a family member, and people will be able to interact more easily.” Everything needed to care for residents is easily accessible -- clean linens, temporary soiled linen storage, oxygen and medical supplies. “The design will increase staff efficiency,” Silverman said, “and provide a more peaceful environment.”
Before the Special Care Unit opened last February, residents of the SCU selected mezuzot to hang on the doorposts of their rooms. “Residents of the Northwest Unit will have the same opportunity,” Silverman said. Local artist Larry Budwig, who designed a large fused glass mezuzah for the entrance to the Special Care Unit, recently created a unique mezuzah for the Northwest Unit. “A mezuzah is a symbol of a Jewish home,” Silverman said. “As we move from phase to phase in the Blumkin Home building project, we will continue to incorporate that traditional symbol into our facility.”
Klutznick-Harris Symposium Continued from page 1 figs, herbs, and flowers.” They have two grown daughters: Elizabeth Ochs, who addresses issues of homelessness in Providence, RI, and Juliana Ochs Dweck, who does curatorial research in Jewish museums. Dr. Ochs’ keynote presentation, which will be followed by a dessert reception, is one of a number of events and presentations that make up this year’s Symposium. Beginning on Sunday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m., and going until 5 p.m., seven other presenters will address issues, such as rites of passage for Orthodox women, varieties of bar and bat mitzvahs, growing up Jewish in a small Midwestern town, and rabbinic ordination. The Symposium continues on Monday, Oct. 27, 8:45 a.m., at the Skutt Student Center on the Creighton University campus. Six presentations are scheduled, concluding at 2 p.m.
Among the topics that will be taken up on Monday are Jews with Jewish tattoos, Karaite Jews, and wedding ceremonies. Moreover, Dr. Ochs will present another paper, this one titled “Same-Sex and Heterosexual Jewish Wedding Ceremonies in Conversation with Each Other.” The co-hosts of this Symposium are the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University and the Harris Center for Judaic Studies at the University of NebraskaLincoln, with the Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society at Creighton and the Jewish Federation of Omaha. All events are free and open to the public. For further information, please contact Fran Minear in the Klutznick office at 402.280.2303 or fminear@ creighton.edu or visit the KlutznickHarris website at www2.creighton. edu/ccas/klutznick.
Political. Judges
Come and hear Dr. Ernest Friesen tell what happens when judges bring bias and politics into the courtroom. Dr. Ernest Friesen, a former U.S. Assistant Attorney General, says that courts without impartiality jeopardize our constitution and our very freedom. The FREE Holland Lecture Series invites you to hear Dr. Friesen discuss “Political Judges vs. Democracy.”
FIRST UNITARIAN
Thurs,Oct. 2 / 7:30 P.M. Scott Conference Center 6450 Pine Street A reception with Dr. Friesen will follow his presentation
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CHURCH OF OMAHA More on Dr. Friesen at: firstuuomaha.org
Page 4
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Septemebr 19, 2008
PETA video costs Agriprocessors support
Continued from page 1 An undercover video shot last month at the Agriprocessors kosher meatpacking plant has raised new questions about the company’s slaughter practices and cost it the support of one of the country's leading experts on animal welfare. Dr. Temple Grandin, an animal scientist who has served as consultant to scores of slaughterhouses across the country, said the practice shown in the video -- in which two workers make “gouging,” saw-like cuts into the necks of animals immediately after the ritual cut performed by a rabbi -- is inhumane. Grandin said she hasn't seen that type of second cut at any of the 30 or so kosher slaughterhouses she has visited, nor did she see it when she toured the Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, in 2006 and declared it satisfactory. The practice also was not in evidence in a video released by a Long Island Jewish newspaper of a visit to Postville by 25 Orthodox rabbis on July 31; after visiting, the clergymen said the plant adhered to the highest standards of kosher practice. The new video, shot Aug. 13 by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA, has led Grandin to conclude that slaughterhouse visits are useless in determining whether animals are being treated properly. She has called for Agriprocessors to install round-the-clock video cameras on the kill floor that can be independently audited by a third party over the Internet. “There’s no point,” Grandin said of the visits. “I’ve been in business 35 years, and I’m getting sick and tired of: They act good when you’re there and they don’t act good when your back is turned. They did the same thing for the rabbis they would do for me -- put on a show.” Agriprocessors did not respond to Grandin’s comments, but the company released a statement Sept. 5 after the PETA video was first reported by The New York Times.“Agriprocessors fully complies with federal humane slaughter laws as is monitored by inspectors of the United States Department of Agriculture,” the statement said. “All kosher slaughter procedures are under
the exclusive direction of the supervising agencies and rabbis who certify the kosher status of the animals, as is provided by law.” Grandin’s criticism comes as Agriprocessors is working hard to revive its image following a massive federal immigration raid in Postville on May 12 that led to the arrests of nearly 400 illegal workers. Unlike other critics of Agriprocessors, which the company has sought to dismiss as “radical” or “fringe” groups pursuing narrow agendas, Grandin is a nationally renowned figure whose judgments were previously touted when they were favorable to the company. After PETA released a similar undercov-
who is accepted as an arbiter in terms of these issues of animal welfare. She doesn’t have an agenda against shechita [ritual slaughter] in any way.” Grandin’s latest remarks strike at one of the central public relations vehicles the company has employed in its struggle to restore its flagging reputation: tours of the plant. The largest of these was the rabbinic visit on July 31, paid for by Agriprocessors and organized by the National Council of Young Israel, an Orthodox synagogue group. After a three-hour tour, the rabbis concluded that the company’s image as a chronic rule-breaker was inconsistent with reality. “The current situation at the Agriprocessors plant is diametrically opposed to the rumors and innuendos that we had h e a r d before we got here,” said Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the council’s executive vice president, following the visit. “We saw a state-ofthe-art A still from an undercover video taken by PETA at the Agriprocessors’ plant in plant, a Postville, Iowa on Aug. 13, 2008. Credit: PETA t r e m e n er video shot in 2004, pressure mounted dous em-phasis on safety and excellent on Agriprocessors to have Grandin come standards of kashrut. While we have no and inspect its procedures, which she did personal knowledge of what may or may two years later. Grandin concluded that not have happened in the past, the the company had improved its procedures Agriprocessors plant that we saw today is since the first video was shot, a fact pub- far different than what has been reported.” licized in news releases by both Lerner declined to respond to Agriprocessors and one of its supervising Grandin’s comments. But Genack told agencies, the Orthodox Union. JTA that the Orthodox Union had opted “Temple is really important,” Rabbi not to participate in the July trip for fear Menachem Genack, the O.U.’s head of of being used as Grandin had -- as a tool kosher supervision, told JTA. “She’s uni- to buttress the company’s image. versally accepted. I think she’s a very hon“It was meant to give confidence on the est person. Generally, Temple is someone public relations side,” Genack said of the
Animal welfare expert Temple Grandin accused kosher slaughterer Agriprocessors of putting on a “show” for visitors. Credit: Temple Grandin rabbinic visit. “I don’t want the O.U. to be the apologist for Rubashkin or to say that everything they do is good, because obviously that’s not the case.” After filming the controversial method on Aug. 13, PETA, which makes no secret of its opposition to all forms of animal slaughter, turned the footage over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and pressed for an investigation. According to the department, a so-called “second cut” is permissible only under direct rabbinic supervision. Spokesperson Amanda Eamich told JTA that the department cited the company for a second cut violation subsequent to Aug. 13, but said the violation was “not egregious” and that the company was presently in compliance. Agriprocessors has accused PETA of illegal conduct in producing the video, including breaking and entering, trespassing, industrial espionage and misrepresentation as an employee. PETA says the company is only trying to deflect attention from its own misconduct. “Our investigations are entirely lawful,” said Hannah Schein, a PETA investigations specialist. “Agriprocessors’ conduct is not.”
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Explore and shop fine art and antique collections from the country’s premier antique dealers. All in Omaha’s picturesque Lauritzen Gardens. September 26 through 28, 2008 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily www.omahaantiqueshow.org | 402.346.4002 ext. 201 100 Bancroft Street | Omaha, NE 68108
September 19, 2008
Jewish learning a family affair at Temple Israel
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator You can feel the anticipation building at Temple Israel for Wednesday nights. That’s Family School night when learning in a sacred, family-focused environment strengthens the bonds between parents, children, and the Jewish community. For Brenda and Bart Arnold and their three sons, Jacob, 12, Spencer, nine, and Zach, seven, who have attended Temple’s Family School the past three years, Wednesday night has become a family tradition of togetherness right to the end when they go out for dessert on the way home. “The kids didn’t want to go right from (secular) school to (afternoon religious) school, and they wanted us to go with them,” explained Brenda Arnold. “We (she and her husband Bart) thought it would be interesting, and the kids enjoy it. They like the dinner” which begins the evening at 6 p.m. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., the children are involved in Judaica studies. At 7:15 p.m. until 8 p.m., the kids concentrate on Hebrew. Parents have the option of studying with their youngsters in both the Judaica and Hebrew classes or taking advantage of the adult learning opportunities. “We both enjoyed the classes, Brenda said. “These are things we wouldn’t have done otherwise. There are so many learning opportunities for adults” at Family School. Stu and Michelle Kazor just completed their first year of Family School with daughter Emily, a third grader. Family School is open to third through sixth graders. Their younger daughter, Elizabeth, who is now six, joined a sibling class provided at Temple. Even Zachary, born last November, came with his family starting in February. “Emily really enjoyed it,” Stu mentioned. “And we all got a lot out of it. A lot of Emily’s classmates from Religious School were there, and it allowed Michelle and I to get to know their parents.” This year, adult learning opportunities include a High Holiday Mini-University on Sept. 24, the Omaha Conservatory of Music’s performance of the children’s opera, Brundibar, on Oct. 1 (at 7 p.m. rather than the usual 6:30 p.m.); and attending Wendy Shalit’s presentation on “Girls Gone Mild: Young Women Reclaim Self-Respect and Find It’s Not Bad to Be Good,” on Oct. 29. Shalit, the outspoken author of A Return to Modesty and Girls Gone Mild, will clarify her message that deplores today’s “bad girl” mindset as oppressive to young women. On Nov. 5, Rabbi Eric Linder will give an explanation of the journey to become a Jew including the process and the time commitment required. A panel whose members have completed the process of becoming a Jew will present their experiences. Cantor Wendy Shermet will introduce cantillation, the ritual chanting of readings from the Torah and other holy scrolls on Nov. 12 and 19. She’ll be followed by media watchdog Steve Danon’s Current Events overview of print and broadcast news with an eye for evaluating the truthfulness and/or slant of reports on Israel and the Middle East on Dec. 10. Israeli native Na’ama Artzi will teach Aleph Bet and Beyond, a Hebrew class for beginning and intermediate adult students on Jan. 7, 14, 21, Feb. 4 and 11, 2009. “Tough Jews: The Good, the Bad, and the Kosher,” with Jeremy Wright, a child/family therapist, will look at what it means to be both tough and Jewish. He’ll give his talk on the evenings of March 25, April 1 and 29, 2009. A viewing of the 2006 film, The Tribe, takes a trip through the history of both
the Barbie doll and the Jewish people from biblical times to today. On May 6, 2009, Kripke Jewish Federation Library Administrator Gary Katz will show the 18-minute film, winner of 12 awards, which sheds light on what it means to be an American Jew in the 21st century. These Wednesday night learning opportunities are open to the entire community and are sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning with additional support provided by the Howard and Judy Vann Family School Educational Grant for Current Events, Brundibar, Aleph Bet and Beyond, Tough Jews, and The Tribe. The Lazier Singer Memorial Fund has allocated a grant for Wendy Shalit’s presentation. There is an additional charge for Aleph Bet and Beyond and for Tough Jews (except for members of Family School), however, all the other sessions are free. Another parent favorite at Temple is Four B’s: Behaving, Belonging, Believing, and Bagels on Sundays from 10:30 to noon. While their children are attending Religious School, parents have the chance to expand their Jewish literacy and strengthen their children’s Jewish identity although it’s not necessary to be a parent to attend. Renewing their sense of Judaism, participants also develop their knowledge of the world and their understanding of themselves. “We’ve been attending Four B’s since Simon was in kindergarten. He’s starting third grade now,” said Kate Kaminsky who participates in Four B’s with her husband Joe Murphy. “The discussions have been interesting, and we enjoy being part of the Jewish community,” Their daughter Clara is now a kindergartner. Like the Kaminsky-Murphy family, Ann and Don Osborne find Four B’s to be at a “very convenient time. I’m already at Temple, plus there are bagels!” quipped Ann. “Most of the Four B’s are very interesting, and I always learn something new. It’s also nice, because I get to spend time with people I don’t always see during the week.” Lindsay Osborne is a fourth grader at Temple, and Robbie is in second grade. Younger children, not yet in school, can spend the time in sitter service with Sarah Sadofsky, a graduate of Temple’s Religious School and now a student at Methodist School of Nursing. This year’s Four B’s lineup, also sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning, begins with Ethical Wills led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel on Oct. 5. Shabbat Mini-University on Nov. 2 will be presented by Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet followed by “Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?” with Sharon Duke Estroff, an internationally-syndicated parenting columnist, an award-winning educator, and mother of four. Additional support has been provided by the Bob and Elly Gordman Donor-Advised Fund and the Howard and Judy Vann Temple Israel Family School Educational Grant for Estroff’s presentation. In 2009, Rabbi Linder will present “Swimming Through the Seas of Talmud” on Jan. 11; Beth Katz, director of Project Interfaith, will discuss “Passover-Easter Dilemma: Surveying Some of the Current Joys and Challenges in Jewish-Christian Relations” on March 1; and Dr. Ron Wolfson, Fingerhut Professor of Education at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, will share stories and strategies in his presentation, “Blessings and Kisses: The Power of Family.” All Four B’s discussions are free and open to the community.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Septemebr 19, 2008
Omaha Conservatory of Music to perform WWII children’s opera at Temple
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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator When representatives of the International Red Cross saw the children’s opera, Brundibar, at Theresienstadt Concentration Camp in 1944, they were maliciously deceived. A special performance was staged for the Red Cross envoys who had come to inspect living conditions. Little did the Red Cross know that crowding had been reduced in the camp by deporting inmates to Auschwitz. Brundibar, a children's opera that shares elements with fairytales such as Hansel and Gretel and The Town Musicians of Bremen, was written in 1938 for a government competition in Czechoslovakia. But the contest was cancelled due to political developments. In 1941, rehearsals started at the Jewish orphanage in Prague. The orphanage was serving as a temporary educational facility for children separated from their parents by the events of World War II. In the winter of 1942, the opera was performed at the orphanage for the first time. Through the generosity of the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning with additional funding provided by the Howard and Judy Vann Temple Israel Family School Educational Grant, Brundibar will be presented free of charge to the community on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m., at Temple Israel by the Omaha Conservatory of Music. According to the opera’s storyline, a fatherless sister and brother try to find some milk for their ailing mother. Having no money, the children decide to sing in the marketplace to raise some change. But the evil organ grinder, Brundibar (who represents Hitler) chases them away. A sparrow, cat, dog, and town children are able to chase away Brundibar. Jewish Czech composer Hans Krasa, whose work was awarded the Czechoslovak State Prize in 1933, wrote the opera which includes a libretto by Adolf
Hoffmeister. By the time it was presented at the Prague orphanage, Krasa and set designer Frantisek Zelenka, formerly a stage manager at the Czech National Theatre, had already been transported to Theresienstadt. By July 1943, nearly all the children of the original chorus and the orphanage staff had also been taken to the concentration camp. Only Hoffmeister was fortunate to escape Prague in time. Reunited with the cast in Theresienstadt, Krasa reconstructed the full score of the opera, based largely on memory and the partial piano score that he still had. He adapted the opera to suit the musical instruments available in the camp. A set was once again designed, and on Sept. 23, 1943, Brundibar premiered in Theresienstadt and was shown 55 times in the following year. Approximately 144,000 Jews were sent to Theresienstadt. Most were Czeck Jews. About 33,000 died from hunger and disease while some 88,000 were deported to Auschwitz, where most of the performers in Brundibar were later exterminated, and other extermination camps. “It’s amazing that the Nazis allowed the work to be performed since the character ‘Brundibar’ was meant to be a parody of Hitler, said Beth Seldin Dotan, director of the Institute for Holocaust Education. Krasa’s work has been performed by the Philadelphia and Boston Symphony Orchestras. A non-profit school striving to build a musical community through education and performance opportunities, the Omaha Conservatory of Music provides private and group lessons in numerous instruments as well as music composition. With a student body of more than 300 young musicians, the faculty challenges them to contribute and participate in the musical community of the Omaha area through solo and group performances, master classes, and educational workshops.
Tot Shabbat returns to Beth El by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator A crowd of around 85 children, parents and grandparents came together recently at Beth El, as the synagogue hosted its first Tot Shabbat event of the new year. The monthly program, led by “Miss Patty” Nogg, had attendees -- young and not-so-young alike -- singing, clapping and enjoying the fun-filled celebration. The next Tot Shabbat is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.; the service will be followed by a kid-friendly dinner for all Tot Shabbat families. Cost is $5 for everyone ages seven and older; there is no charge for children six and younger. All families in the Jewish community are welcome. For more information or to make reservations, contact Program Director Margie Gutnik at 492-8550 or programming@bethel-omaha.org.
Nogg leads her small charges marching with their mini-Torahs.
Beth Israel observes High Holiday season
A rollicking good time!
Zany characters that make you howl with laughter
Oct 15th & 17th | 7:30 PM Oct 19th | 2:00 PM OrpheumTheater | Slosburg Hall Sung in English with projected text
Call: 34-OPERA Click: operaomaha.org Visit: Box Office at 17th & Farnam Tickets also available at 345-0606 | TicketOmaha.org OPERA OMAHA’S WEB SITE IS SPONSORED BY:
by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Shana Tova! The High Holidays will soon be upon us, and Beth Israel is providing a variety of programs and services. As is the custom, Rabbi Jonathan Gross will lead Kever Avot services at Beth Israel’s three cemeteries prior to Rosh Hashanah. Services will be held on this Sunday, 11 a.m., at Golden Hill Cemetery, noon at Beth Israel/Mt. Sinai Cemetery and 1 p.m. at Beth Hamedrosh Hagadol/Fisher Farms Cemetery. In order to prepare to sing along during High Holiday services, consider purchasing a copy of Beth Israel’s CD, “In Your Mouth and In Your Heart.” It features Beth Israel’s renowned Chazzan, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, and many congregants singing the music of the High Holiday services. Released last year, copies are available in the synagogue office at $18 each. To have a CD mailed to you, there is an additional $2 charge. Rosh Hashanah observances begin on Monday, Sept. 29, 6:30 a.m., with Shacharit and Mincha/Ma’ariv at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 is the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Wednesday, Oct. 1, is the second day. On both days, morning services begin at 8 a.m., free
babysitting starts at 9:30 a.m., the Torah reading and Junior Congregation begins at 9:45 a.m., and the sermon will start at 10 a.m. followed by the Shofar blowing. Mincha is on Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m., and on Oct. 1, 7 p.m., for Mincha/Ma’ariv. The Fast of Gedaliah is on Thursday, Oct. 2, beginning at 6:01 a.m. and ending at 7:45 p.m. Tashlich will be observed on Sunday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m., with a dinner at the synagogue, followed by a service held at Trendwood Park at 7:30 p.m. Trendwood Park is located at 132nd and Pacific. Erev Yom Kippur is Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7:15 p.m., with Kol Nidre. Babysitting is available during the service. Yom Kippur in on Thursday, Oct. 8 a.m., beginning with Shacharit; babysitting starts at 9:30 a.m., Junior Congregation begins at 9:45 a.m., the Torah reading will be held at 10 a.m. and the sermon will be at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi Gross will hold an afternoon class on “The Book of Yonah,” at 4:15 p.m. Mincha is at 5:15 p.m., Neila is at 6:15 p.m. and the fast ends at 7:34 p.m. followed by a break-the-fast dinner. For more information or to make dinner reservations, call 556.6288.
September 19, 2008
ADL welcomes new education associate by THERESE VAUGHN Originally from Howells, Nebraska, Jessica Gall grew up on a farm, yet has always had a worldly perspective and a natural appreciation for diversity. She taught English at Fremont and Burke High School for six years before joining the ADL staff. Her passion for human rights advocacy took root in the classroom, where she taught Elie Wiesel’s devastating Holocaust account, Night. Jessica Gall “The study of literature is a powerful tool for exploring issues of identity and its loss, humanity and inhumanity, history and its current
implications,” Gall said. The ADL Plains States Regional Office welcomes Gall as its new Education Associate. A longtime supporter of ADL, she worked with Beth Seldin Dotan, Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education, on curriculum in 2002, and later, coordinated Omaha’s “Tribute to the Rescuers” essay contest. She was also active in Latino youth leadership at Burke. Recognizing the need for anti-bias education throughout the region, Gall plans to take ADL’s mission and innovative programming to rural communities, while also expanding efforts in urban areas. “There is such a tremendous need for understanding other’s differences,” she said. “With ethnic, religious and socioeconomic diversity growing across the Midwest, ADL’s educational role will become increasingly vital.”
Millard Schools Superintendent to be featured at Beth El Brunch ’n Learn
by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Beth El’s Men’s Club will kick off this year’s Speakers Series with a special brunch ’n learn event on Sunday, Sept. 28, 11:30 a.m., featuring guest speaker Keith Lutz, Ed.D., superintendent of the Millard Public Schools. The entire Jewish community is invited to attend the program, free of charge. Dr. Lutz has been at the helm of the district for the past 12 years, and has Keith Lutz worked in Millard’s administration since 1989. Under his leadership, the Millard district has become a national leader in the areas of curriculum, student achievement, technology, strategic planning, and facility management. In 1990, he implemented an ongoing strategic plan-
ning system that guides improvements for the district and involves the input of thousands of staff and community members in the process. Through this system, the Millard staff and community have been instrumental in determining the future direction of the schools. In 1997, under Dr. Lutz’s leadership, the Millard community passed an $89 million bond issue - at the time, the largest school bond issue in the history of Nebraska. The bond issue provided renovations for all of the district’s schools as well as construction of three new schools. During the upcoming brunch at Beth El, the longtime superintendent will speak about the district and changes he has seen in education for the past 19 years. In addition, he will address the soon-to-be instituted Omaha Learning Community, which encompasses 11 school districts in Douglas and Sarpy counties, as well as the No Child Left Behind law. A question-and-answer session will follow his presentation. For more information, contact Men’s Club President Scott Simon at 616.4089 or simonsz@cox.net.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
ADL’s World of Difference programs available to local schools
by JORDANA M. GLAZER Anti-Defamation League Plains State Region The ADL -- through its “A World of Difference” Institute -- is known as the industry leader in training educators and students to combat prejudice and create safe, inclusive and bully-free learning environments. Here is a sampling of the Institute’s programs: • A Classroom of Difference: an anti-bias program that provides K-12 teachers with the tailored curriculum to explore prejudice and its causes, improve critical thinking skills, examine diverse viewpoints and enlist students as leaders. • Becoming an Ally: Interrupting Name Calling and Bullying: a program that helps students recognize the harm of name-calling and bullying, and develop a “zero-indifference approach” to such incidents. • Peer Training and Leadership Programs: training that empowers students to work with their peers, distinguish between personal freedom and discriminatory behavior and develop leadership skills. • Making Diversity Count: a new online professional development course that helps middle and high school teachers cultivate respectful classrooms. • No Place for Hate: a program that empowers communities, schools, businesses, houses of worship and community groups to promote respect for individual and group differences while challenging prejudice and bigotry. • Cyberbullying Trickery, Trolling and Threats: a program that provides strategies for educators to respond effectively to cyberbullying and promote a safe online environment for youth. For more information or to request a program for your school, please call the ADL office at 333.1303.
Prayerbooks Available for Visually Impaired The Jewish Heritage for the Blind announced the availability of the High Holiday Machzor in large print and in Braille, free of charge. A doctor’s note stating necessity is required. To receive a complimentary Machzor, call 718.338.4999; fax 718.338.0653; or e-mail to Jewishheritage@gmail.com.
Look to the future. Get tested for Gaucher Disease today. If you are Jewish and of Eastern European Symptoms: Fatigue • Bone pain • Easy bruising and/or bleeding • Enlarged abdomen •
Page 7
descent, one simple test today may make a very big difference tomorrow. Type 1 Gaucher Disease is the most common Jewish genetic disease. It can strike anyone at any time and the symptoms can be devastating, even fatal. Fortunately, type 1 Gaucher Disease is treatable. In fact, the earlier the diagnosis, the better… sometimes even life-saving. Ask your doctor if a Gaucher test is right for you.
To learn more, call 1.888.TYPE1GAUCHER (1.888.897.3142), or visit www.gauchercare.com GAUC/US/P003D/12/07
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Septemebr 19, 2008
Family cookbook satisfies a hunger to recall the past
by LINDA MOREL NEW YORK (JTA) -- Judy Bart Kancigor is one of the rare Cinderella stories in publishing, beating the odds to earn a contract without contacts in the industry. It all started with a spiral-bound volume of family recipes that would become Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family (Workman Publishing, 2007). In 1996, Kancigor was a court reporter and about to become a grandmother when some aunts on her maternal grandmother’s side of the family were declining. “As Aunt Estelle’s condition worsened, Aunt Sally was moving into assisted living,” Kancigor recalls. “Aunt Hilda was on dialysis, and Aunt Irene didn’t know who I was when I called.” She pauses. “That’s when it hit me -- one generation was leaving while another one was coming. How would my grandchild know about the Rabinowitz family?” Alarmed by this prospect, she wanted to give the baby a gift -- the past on a plate. “I wished I could reach my arms across the generations and somehow pass on a taste of the legacy that had been bequeathed to me,” Kancigor says. “I decided to become a conduit. But I wondered what I wanted to impart besides Aunt Sally’s apple cake and Aunt Irene’s kugel. I wanted the next generation to know the stories, to know where we came from, to know our history.” It was a history seasoned with tantalizing foods. Cooking and eating were staples of Rabinowitz life. Kancigor’s maternal grandparents, Hinda and Harry Rabinowitz, had immigrated to New York City from Belarus, Russia, in 1907. In Belle Harbor, Queens, they raised seven children on shtetl fare, notably kishke and kreplach. Free from Cossack terror, they hoped their children would receive an education and succeed. Their children thrived on foods Mama Hinda measured with a yahrzeit glass. They spoke English, fulfilled their parents’ dreams and never heard the hoofbeats of Cossack horses. Kancigor’s mother and aunts carried the torch, cooking Old World favorites in their modern kitchens. They relied on Mama Hinda’s handfuls of a little of this and that to make black bread, potatoes and chicken soup as they simultaneously embraced Jell-O and sliced white bread, clipping trendy recipes from women’s magazines. Kancigor grew up in a two-family house downstairs from her grandparents. Her favorite pastime was sitting on the front porch glider and listening to family stories. Like a piece of sponge cake, she soaked up anecdotes -Mama Hinda’s cooking, too. Her delicious memories became the motivation for preserving the family’s legacy. Early in the process, Kancigor enrolled in a cookbook writing seminar at UCLA. The teacher, cookbook author Norman Kolpas, asked students to describe their projects. Among chefs, food writers and caterers, Kancigor was intimidated. “Oh, I’m just writing a family cookbook,” she mumbled. Kolpas grew serious and pointed a finger at her. “What you’re doing is very important,” she said. “Don’t let anyone stop you.” Kancigor contacted relatives as she assembled an album of family recipes, stories and photos. Taking a huge gamble, she printed 500 copies of Melting Pot Memories. While her husband feared these spiral bound books would forever clutter their garage, she handed out copies at a nephew’s bar mitzvah. With minimal publicity, word spread about this selfpublished book. Melting Pot Memories sold faster than honey cakes at Rosh Hashanah -- sales reached 11,000 copies. Its overwhelming success landed her a book contract from Workman Press to write an expanded version, which became the recently published Cooking Jewish. Along the way, Kancigor’s son asked, “Why are people reading about our family?” The simple answer: They are hungry for their forgotten past. In essence, the Rabinowitzes are every American Jewish family. “Although the Rabinowitz family is Ashkenazi, I wanted Sephardic dishes in my cookbook, too,” Kancigor says. “If anyone had married into a Sephardic family, I was dying to include their foods.” She sought tales and
recipes from relatives as far flung as in-laws of in-laws. The result is a nostalgic step back in time. “Every Friday, my grandmother baked challah,” Kancigor says. “My brother Gary and I could smell it wafting from upstairs.” At Rosh Hashanah, they would break off chunks and dip them in honey for a sweet New Year. Decades later in 1976, when Kancigor heard her grandmother was in intensive care, she was compelled to get the recipe for a challah that was as light as a cloud. From her deathbed, 91-year-old Mama Hinda dictated its ingredients and instructions to Kancigor’s mother, who wrote it down. The recipe would be set aside for years. Assembling her cookbook, Kancigor tried the recipe. The results were disappointing. “In her condition, perhaps Mama Hinda forgot to mention certain crucial things,” she says. Devastated, Kancigor took the recipe scribbled on scrap paper to a professional baker, who miraculously re-created the challah’s exact taste. “I had a Madeleine moment when I took my first bite,” says Kancigor, admitting that the baker took a different route to arrive at the same place. Since then Kancigor’s first grandchild was born; three more have followed. “They never knew Mama Hinda but they’ve eaten her challah,” she says. “It’s tying the generations together. “The thing I’m most proud of -- even more than publishing a book -- is collecting our family stories and recipes.” Jewish history is ongoing, she explains. “By knowing where you came from, you can see what part your family played in it, whether it be from the Lower East Side to the suburbs, from the Holocaust to Los Angeles, or from peddler to investment banker,” she says. Kancigor is gratified that readers respond to her relatives as if they were characters in a novel. She encourages everyone to write a memoir cookbook. “This Rosh Hashanah, you and your children are blazing into the 21st century with honey cake and challah, carrot kugel and sweet wine,” she says. The Jewish New Year is a time to contemplate the past while considering the future, a time to dig out old recipes, a time when cooking Jewish is cherished. But for those who’ve lost their grandparents’ recipes, open Kancigor’s cookbook and prepare a Rabinowitz favorite. After all, they’re family. The following recipes are from Cooking Jewish: MAMA HINDA’S CHALLAH (Adapted from Hinda Rabinowitz) No Jewish food reminds Kancigor of her grandmother more than Mama Hinda’s challah. With a Litvak sensibility, Mama could live without sweets. But once a year, at Rosh Hashanah, she sprinkled raisins into her challah dough to enhance its sweetness. Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups bread flour 1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees) 2 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 teaspoon, plus 1/4 cup, sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus extra for oiling the bowl 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher (coarse) salt 1/3 cup raisins (optional) Vegetable oil, vegetable cooking spray or parchment paper for greasing baking sheet Egg wash: 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tbsp. water Preparation: Set aside 2 tablespoons of the flour. Place the remaining flour in the large bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with a flat paddle or dough hook. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in 1/4 cup of the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and add 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Using a fork, stir the water, yeast, and sugar together gently, keeping the mixture in the well. (Don’t worry if a little flour becomes incorporated.) Let stand until bubbly, about 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, the 1/4 cup oil, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and the salt together with a fork. Add the egg mixture and the remaining 1/4 cup warm water to the flour mixture, and beat on low speed until incorporated. Then beat on medium speed until smooth
and silky, 5 to 10 minutes. (The dough should feel slightly sticky and, to quote Adventures in Jewish Cooking by Jeffrey Nathan, “like a baby’s tush.”) If it is too sticky, add the reserved 2 tablespoons of flour (or more, if necessary), 1 tablespoon at a time and continue to mix for a few more minutes. Oil a large bowl and place the ball of dough in it, turning the dough so it is oiled all over. Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside in a warm place until the dough has almost doubled in bulk, at least 1 hour. (A warm place would be an oven preheated to the lowest setting and then turned off.) When the dough has almost doubled, punch it down and knead it by hand for 1 to 2 minutes, incorporating the raisins, if using. For a spiral Rosh Hashanah challah, roll the dough into a single rope about 34 inches long. Beginning at one end, wind the rope from the center of the spiral outward, keeping the center slightly elevated, like a turban. Tuck the end under. Lightly grease a baking sheet, or better yet, line it with parchment paper. Place the shaped dough on the prepared baking sheet, cover it with a slightly dampened cloth, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375º. Brush the top of the loaf with the egg wash. Bake until the top is brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped with your fingers, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Yield: 1 1/2-pound round challah.
GERMAN PLUM CAKE (From Herta Heidingsfelder) Herta Heidingsfelder is the mother-in-law of one of Kancigor’s cousins. Herta learned to make this traditional Rosh Hashanah cake -- really a tart with a cookie crust -- from her mother-in-law. At 90, she still bakes this dessert for the New Year. Ingredients: 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing the pie plate (Margarine can be substituted for the butter.) 1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, sugar Yolk of 1 large egg, at room temperature 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus 1 to 3 tablespoons, if needed 2 to 2 1/4 pounds fresh Italian plums, halved and pitted Preparation: Preheat oven to 350º. Butter a 9-inch pie plate, or the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Be sure the butter and egg yolk are at room temperature. Combine the butter, the 1/2 cup sugar and the egg yolk in a bowl and mix by hand, until thoroughly combined. Gradually add the 1 cup flour. If it is too sticky, add the extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Press the dough into the bottom and barely up the rim of the prepared pie plate, or over the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan. Cut 2 slits in each plum half, slicing it two-thirds of the way down, so it fans out into 3 sections. Stand the plums upright in the pie plate, packed tightly in circles with the skin facing out and the uncut ends pressed into the dough. There should be very little dough exposed. Bake until the dough is lightly browned, about 45 minutes. The tart will seem juicy when it comes from the oven. Let the tart cool on a wire rack. If you will be serving the tart the same day, store it at room temperature. Otherwise store it, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving. If a springform is used, remove the sides before serving. Immediately before serving, sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over the fruit. Yield: 6-8 servings.
ROSH HASHANAH HONEY COOKIES (By Ruchi Padwa) From Antwerp, Belgium, Ruchi Padwa is a distant cousin of Kancigor’s husband, Barry. The mother of 12, Ruchi bakes 40 dozen of these cookies every Rosh Hashanah in between sewing her children’s holiday clothes by hand. Amazingly, the cousins found each other on the Internet. Ingredients: 2 large eggs 1/3 cup honey 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup vegetable oil, plus extra for oiling hands 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Continued on page 12
September 19, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the below events.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Out of Sight Saturday Night, 6:30 p.m. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel BESTT 7th grade family program, and Adult Education, 10 a.m. at Beth El Cantor Webber Workshop, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad JCC Select Basketball Parents Meeting, 12:30 p.m. Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing, 1 p.m. Visions & 39 Forever Summer Picnic, 1 p.m. Auditions for Hana’s Suitcase, 2 p.m. Omaha Artists Association Reception, 2 p.m. Jewish Film Festival Dinner, 6 p.m. Bedtime Storytime, 6 p.m. Chabad House Jewish Film Festival, 7:30 p.m. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 JSS Senior Luncheon, noon Friedel Jewish Academy PTO Party, 6 p.m. JFO Meeting, 6 p.m. Challah-thon, 7 p.m. at Chabad TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. BBYO Chapter Installations, 6 p.m. Jewish Film Festival, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Federation Major Gifts Event, 5:30 p.m. at Ironwood Mini University, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Annual Blood Drive, 1 p.m. at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad Kripke Library Friends Event, 6 p.m. LOVE Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Jewish Film Festival, 7:30 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 JSS Senior Luncheon, 9:30 a.m. Kabbalistic Insights for Women, noon at Chabad Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Friedel
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Beth El 20s & 30s Appletini’s and Apple Tasting, 8 p.m. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 BESTT 6th/7th grade Minyan, 9 a.m. at Beth El Reading the Rambam Class, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Men’s Club Brunch and Learn, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing, 1 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7 Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Bedtime Storytime for Kids, 6 p.m. at Chabad BBYO Night, 6 p.m. NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Rosh Hashanah, JCC and Federation are closed
Erev Yom Kippur THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 Yom Kippur, JCC and Federation are closed
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 Rosh Hashanah, JCC and Federation are closed
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 Sukkah Building, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Bring Your Parents to School, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Tzdekah boxes for Sukkot with Julie Phillips, 12:15 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Tot Shabbat & Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 NCJW Dictionary Day, 8 a.m. BESTT dismissal, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 Teen Class with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education Classes, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Four Bs, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel MIT Meeting, 2 p.m. Arts in Adversity Performance, 3 p.m. Sunday Night Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel Tashlich Service, 7:30 p.m. at Trendwood Park
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Sukkot, JCC and Federation are closed
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad JFS Love & Logic Class, 6 p.m. Visions event depart from JCC, 6:45 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Danny Lasker Lecture, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 JFS Grief Program, 8:30 a.m. W.O.W. Soup in the Sukkah, 11:45 a.m. at Chabad Visions Luncheon Meeting, noon Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 2:30 p.m. at Blumkin Home Family Shabbat & Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 Out of Sight Saturday Night, 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 60 Years of Western Galilee Photography, 1948-2008 in the JCC Gallery through Oct 28.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2 Omaha Artists Exhibit in JCC Gallery through Oct. 7 Tzom Gedaliah/Fast of Gedaliah Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club for Kids, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad JFS Love & Logic Class, 6 p.m. CJE Committee Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Dorothy Kaplan Book Group, 1 p.m. at Kripke Library Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El RBJH residents Pippa White Show, 1:30 p.m. JFO Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. JFS Grief Program, 7 p.m. JFO Board of Director’s Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 Friedel Academy Family Sukkot Celebration Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El BESTT 3-4’s Sukkot Program, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Mah Jongg Tournament, noon Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing, 1 p.m. Beth El 20s & 30s group, 4 p.m. at Vala’s MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 JSS Senior Luncheon, 9:30 a.m. Jewish Book Club Meeting, 2 p.m. Family Dinner for Simchat Torah, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 Shemini Atzeret, Federation closed WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 Simchat Torah, Federation closed
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 Sukkot, JCC and Federation are closed
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 BESTT 6 & 7th grade Minyan, 9 a.m. at Beth El Men’s Club, Bible Study Group, 10 a.m. at Beth El Teen Class with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Annual Klutznick-Harris Symposium, 10 a.m. Mishacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing, 1 p.m.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 19, 2008
Family cookbook satisfies hunger to recall the past
Continued from page 8 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons seltzer or club soda 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour Parchment paper Preparation: Fit an electric mixer with the dough hook and beat the eggs, honey, sugar, oil, vanilla, baking powder, cinnamon and seltzer on medium-low speed for 15 minutes. Add the flour and mix until incorporated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for several hours, or as long as overnight. Preheat the oven to 350º. Line several cookie sheets with parchment paper. With oiled hands, form the dough into walnut-size balls. Place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Place 2 oven racks on the bottom third and top third of the oven. Bake 2 cookie sheets at a time, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back, halfway through the baking. Bake until golden brown, 14-17 minutes. (Watch that the bottoms don’t burn.) Let cookies cool on the cookie sheets set on wire racks. Repeat with the remaining dough. Cookies freeze well. Yield: about 8 dozen. CANDY SALAMI (By Libby Gordon) When sliced, this candy resembles salami. The cocoa creates dark shading, while its nuts imitate light flecks. Kancigor’s
cousin Libby Gordon once served this candy on a milchig (dairy) plate as a joke to scare Mama Hinda, who kept kosher. Sweetened with honey, it’s a treat at Rosh Hashanah. Ingredients: 8 ounces walnut halves, half finely chopped and half left whole 1 cup honey 1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs, plus more for dusting 2 tsps. unsweetened cocoa powder Preparation: Combine the walnuts, honey and 1/2 cup bread crumbs in a medium-size (preferably nonstick) saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon for about 7 minutes, until the mixture is quite thick, clings together and leaves the sides of the pan. Stir in the cocoa powder; mixture resembles goo. Spread the additional bread crumbs over a metal baking pan. Dump the honey goo onto the pan and set it aside to cool slightly. As soon as it is cool enough to handle (but still warm), roll it in the bread crumbs and shape it into a log about 11 inches long with tapered ends, in the shape of a salami. Roll it tightly in plastic wrap, cover it with aluminum foil and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. To serve, use a serrated knife to cut the “salami” into 3/8-inch thick slices. Yield: about 2 dozen slices.
BIRTH
Cally and Matt Kutler announce the Aug. 19 birth of their son, Vincent Matthew. Grandparents are Debi and David
Kutler, Sue Kucera and Mike Kucera. Great-grandparents are Shirley and Max Kirshenbaum, Harriet Kutler and the late Ben Kutler, and Joyce and Richard Lewis.
ENGAGEMENTS BELMONT/SMOLINSKY Jill and Mark Belmont have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jessica, to Cliff Smolinsky, son of Gail Zemble and Ken Smolinsky of Overland Park, KS. The bride-to-be will graduate this December from the University of KansasLawrence, where she is majoring in history. She is the g r a n d daughter of Barbara and Marshall Kushner and the late Florence and Joe Belmont. Her fiancé is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and is employed by Microsoft in Fargo, ND. He is the grandson of Rosalyn and Harold Smolinsky of Philadelphia. The couple is planning a Sept. 6, 2009 wedding at Beth El Synagogue.
ERPELDING/KUTLER Debi and David Kutler and Judy and Mark Erpelding of Algona, IA announce the engagement of their children Adam and Abigail. The bride-to-be is a social worker at Methodist Hospital. She is the granddaughter of Marion and Louis Egel of Algona, IA, Bill Erpelding, also of Algona, and the late Leona Erpelding. Her fiancé works for Body Basics. He is the grandson of Shirley and Max Kirshenbaum, Harriet Kutler and the late Ben Kutler. The couple is planning a October wedding at the Qwest Center in Omaha.
Chabad’s Storytime is back
by SHEVI KATZMAN and the subtle way we instill it at the They’ve been waiting for it all summer Bedtime Storytime events are priceless.” long. The Bedtime Storytime series is This event is open to all children in the back with storyteller Nancy Rips and 10 community and their families. RVSVPs to sessions, beginning Sunday, Sept. 21, 6- chabadoffice@cox.net are appreciated. 7 p.m. at Chabad House. “We are pleased to offer this program to the young families in this community to foster quality family time in a Jewish setting,” said co-director Shani Katzman. “We all try Rabbi Katzman, right, and Jacob Kirk, left, Feigy and Zalmen to instill Jewish val- Katzman, and Isabella Wright follow the story by watching the picues in our children tures projected on the wall. Credit: Ophir Palmon, Artistic Visions
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September 19, 2008
IN THE NEWS
Omaha Steaks has become newsworthy and wellknown across the nation over its more than 90-year history. The three brothers who helped make it that way -Alan Simon, Fred Simon and the late Steve Simon -were featured as the “Faces on the Barroom Floor” at a roast and toast last week at the Omaha Press Club. The “Face on the Barroom Floor” is a caricature drawing that salutes newsmakers who have made a difference in the Omaha area. The Press Club began the tradition in 1971. Roasters included: Arnold Joffe, president of Grace Mayer Insurance Company; Michael Platt, CEO, Ideal Pure Water; Jerry Hoberman, retired president of Tires, Inc.; Roger Kupka, retired president of Nebraska Builders Products; Dr. Jack Lewis, Omaha physician; and Dick Holland, president of the Holland Foundation. Vickie Hagen, vice president of marketing for Omaha Steaks, served as emcee. Owned by the same family for more than 90 years, Omaha Steaks was founded in 1917 by the Simon brothers’ grandfather and great grandfather. There are now 80 stores in 23 states and 1,800 full-time employees Alan, Fred and Steve, as the fourth generation at the helm, have been responsible for much of the growth that has made the company an international icon, including: vacuum packaging, mail order catalogs, inbound call center, automated order system and a retail store in 1976. The brothers were inducted into the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 2006. A fifth generation has taken leadership roles: Alan’s son, Bruce Simon, is now president and CEO of Omaha Steaks. Fred’s son, Todd Simon, is senior vice president.
Omaha attorney Jon Blumenthal announced that he will seek the District 5 seat on the Omaha City Council. Incumbent Dan Welch announced that he would not run for a third term. Blumenthal, a Republican, was raised in West Omaha and is a graduate of Millard North High School. He currently lives a few blocks from his childhood home. “This community is very important to me, and I have a strong desire to serve,” Blumenthal said. “I am passionate about Omaha and will work hard to make sure the city continues to move forward.” Blumenthal is a real estate attorney with Baird Holm LLP, serving as the Firm's hiring partner from 20032007. He has been active with numerous Omaha charities and was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Omahans by the Omaha Jaycees in 2004, and one of the Midlands Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2004. Blumenthal currently serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Omaha and the Curriculum Committee for Leadership Omaha. Blumenthal cited controlling city spending, lowering the tax burden, and developing a plan to combat violent crime as his top priorities. “The people of Omaha are paying much more than their fair share in taxes,” Blumenthal said. “Our community will be much more competitive for new businesses and workers if we get city spending under control and lower taxes.” Blumenthal added that Councilman Welch had been an effective leader and praised his stewardship on behalf of district families and neighborhoods. “Omaha is on the right track thanks to the contributions of Dan Welch,” Blumenthal said. Blumenthal, 36, and his wife Amy, have two children who attend elementary school in the Millard school district.
Among the pages at this year’s Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball are Charlotte Rose Simon, daughter of Kim and Jim Simon; John Harrison Boggust, son of Paula and Matt Boggust, Saunders Kenneth Cohen, son of Elizabeth Cohen and Martin Cohen; Elijah Levi Marburg, son of Debra and Daniel Marburg; and Aaron Louis and Leo Thomas Norton, twin sons of Susan and Michael Norton. The annual scholarship event, entitled “Jewels of the Heartland,” is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Qwest Center.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
Expert shares tips on being organized with Beth Israel Sisterhood by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Do you need some guidance when it comes to organizing your office? Or do you lack a systematic way of keeping all of your important personal papers together? Many of us could use some assistance when it comes to getting things organized in our lives. Beth Israel’s Sisterhood will feature a guest speaker at their next luncheon who will address the issue of becoming more organized. The Sisterhood lunch will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 24, noon. Cost is $8 per person for reservations made by Sept. 19, or $10 for late reservations. Babysitting will be available at no charge, by reservation. The owner and president of “Organizing Plus,” Jan Limpach, will speak after lunch. Limpach has been in business for over 18 years. “Organizing Plus” is an organizing, consulting and seminar presentation company in Omaha. An experienced speaker, Limpach is a professional organizer of homes and businesses. She encourages questions on everything from organizing children’s rooms to preparing papers for estates and trusts. Limpach can help create filing systems for offices or attend to the packing and unpacking with your home moves. “We’re starting the New Year, and you always want to start with a fresh slate,” said Sisterhood member Bette Kozlen. “What better way to do this than to organize your house, your business and your life. So that’s why we thought Jan would be the perfect choice as a guest speaker; a professional who can help us get things organized.” To make your reservations, please call the synagogue office at 556.6288.
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ORGANIZATIONS THE YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us on Monday at the JCC with vocalist Michael Lyon. Lunch is served at noon for $7 per person and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Hailing from England, Lyon developed a love for grand opera at an early age and embarked on a professional singing career in the mid 1980s. He has performed at a number of prestigious venues, including his stage debut at Carnegie Hall in 1998. His show will include Broadway classics to swing with some pop, country and a touch of opera. Join us for Bingo with Miles Remer at 10 a.m. Call Teresa at 330.4272 for transportation. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.
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LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m. in the social hall of the JCC. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS & 39 FOREVER Reminder: Visions and 39 Forever Summer Picnic is this Sunday, Sept. 21, 1-3:30 p.m. at Chalco Hill’s Recreation Area (Nature Center) from 1-3:30 p.m. (doors will not open until 12:45 p.m.). Capture the excitement with the Capitol Steps at the Orpheum Theater on Thursday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. Cost is $40. Send reservations to Betty Sanford, 9205 Western Ave. #127, Omaha, NE 68114. Make check payable to Visions. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Scott Kleeb, will discuss his positions on a number of issues at the Wednesday, Sept. 24, noon, program at Regency Lodge, according to chairman Gary Javitch. Breadbreakers is open to all men and women in the community; the program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, contact Lois Epstein at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. Because of the Jewish holidays, there will be no Breadbreakers on the following Wednesdays: Oct. 1, Oct. 15 or Oct. 22.
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Page 14
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 19, 2008
Days of Awe at Temple to include Ron Wolfson, food donations, voting issues panel, and services for all ages
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator During much of the year, the Jewish calendar takes a backseat to the various other calendars in our lives. The secular calendar, the school calendar, the football schedule -- it can be difficult to compete. However, with Rosh Hashanah approaching in less than two weeks, the Jewish calendar reasserts its importance at this time of year Ron Wolfson when the music is more dramatic, the prayers are more insistent, and the community is more connected. Temple Israel’s Cantor Wendy Shermet will conduct a High Holiday Mini-University on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., to deepen participants’ understanding of the liturgy and enrich their knowledge of the theology of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Elyce Azriel, director of religious education at Temple, will join Cantor Shermet to share traditional recipes and other ideas to sweeten the holidays. The class is sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. Erev Rosh Hashanah worship services begin on Monday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel. Ron Wolfson, Fingerhut Professor of Education at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, will speak on Rosh Hashanah morning, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 10:15 a.m., during High Holy Day worship services in the sanctuary. A faculty member of the American Jewish University since 1975, Dr. Wolfson a former Omahan, was named this year as Dean of the Center for Jewish Education which combines the resources and activities of the Fingerhut School of Education and the Whizin Center for the Jewish Future. He will set the tone for his April residency when he launches Temple’s social justice initiatives for the year in his Rosh Hashanah d’var Torah, “God’s To-Do List: How to Be an Angel and Do God’s Work on Earth.” Once again, Temple will participate, along with hundreds of other Reform congregations, in the national “High Holy Day Hunger Project,” initiated years ago by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C. Temple members collected nearly 5,000 pounds of
canned and packaged food last year to donate to the Omaha Food Bank. Reusable bags, donated by Bag N Save, will be distributed by Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG) members after services on Rosh Hashanah to be returned with healthy non-perishable food on Yom Kippur. Volunteers will help load the bags on trucks in the parking lots at Temple, First United Methodist Church, and the Omaha Community Playhouse. Following the Shabbat morning service on Saturday, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m., Tashlich will be led by the clergy overlooking the stream at Elmwood Park. During the brief service, bread, symbolizing sins, is tossed into the water. The act represents hope that we can cast off our misdeeds and change our ways. On Sunday, Oct. 5, 1 p.m., all members of the community are welcome to attend the Memorial Service at the Temple Israel Cemetery, 6412 No. 42 St. Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Eric Linder, and Cantor Shermet will lead the service. On Kol Nidre, Wednesday, Oct. 8, past presidents of Temple’s Board of Trustees will be honored at both the 6 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. services. The morning Yom Kippur service begins the next day, Oct. 9, 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. It is a tradition at Temple for teenagers and even some younger children along with several adults to respond to the shofar calls of the cantor. Hundreds of heads lift up from their prayers and turn toward the soulful sounds of the shofarot. Following the morning service, David Jacobson will once again moderate a thought-provoking panel discussion on “The Jewish Vote in 2008: Obama and Biden vs. McCain and Palin. A Discussion of Issues of Importance to Jewish People in this Historic Presidential Election.” “Many have called this the most important presidential election in decades,” commented Jacobson. “In addition to the Iraq War and the economy, there are numerous critical issues impacting the Jewish people and clear differences on many of these issues between the candidates. These include the Middle East situation and Israel, abortion rights, Black/Jewish relations, Supreme Court nominations, and immigration issues. The panel will discuss these critical issues facing our country and the Jewish people as we decide which candidates to support.” After the panel, in the peaceful surroundings of the Livingston Chapel, a woodwind quartet, the Amphion Ensemble, will provide time to reflect on the meaning of this sacred day. Music written by Jewish composers or highlighting Jewish themes will be presented beginning at 1:30 p.m. Everyone who has lost someone dear, recently or in the past, is invited to participate in Moments of Remembrance with Marla Cohen at 2:30 p.m. in the Livingston Chapel. This comforting experience, prior to
the afternoon service, is a prelude to yizkor. In a supportive and caring setting, Cohen, who has a master’s degree in counseling, a National Counselor Certification, and is certified in psychotherapy from the International Psychotherapy Institute, will share with others memories and feelings for those for whom they will recite Kaddish. Those who attend can bring a photo or memento to help convey the essence of their loved ones. OTYG members and Rabbi Linder will lead the Family Youth Service, that they and their advisor Amy Katz wrote, at 2:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Parents are encouraged to accompany their youngsters to share in this moving worship service, recommended for fifth graders and older students as well as adults. At the conclusion of neilah and yizkor, which begin about 5 p.m. on Yom Kippur, the entire congregation, including young children, will hear the final blast of the shofar and enjoy a brief havdalah service led by all Religious School students in attendance. Simultaneous signing of the Erev Rosh Hashanah service, the 6 p.m. Kol Nidre service, and the morning services will be provided. Please call the Temple office at 556.6536 or send an email to mweidner@templeisraelomaha.com to reserve a seat at the front of the sanctuary to better observe the signing. Sitter service will be available for children, ages one10, on Erev Rosh Hashanah and for the 6 p.m. service on Kol Nidre. There will also be sitter service for children, one to four years old, during the morning service on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as well as during the afternoon on Yom Kippur. At 9 a.m., there will be a Tot Service in the Livingston Chapel and a shildren’s service in the sanctuary on both holy days. Planned for children age five and younger, the joyful Tot Service includes a story read by the rabbi and an interpretation of the Season of Awe appropriate for this age. Sitter service will be available at 10 a.m. so parents can attend the adult morning service. Kindergartners through fourth graders will relate to themes of the New Year at the children’s services as the clergy lead them and their parents in prayer in the sanctuary. At 10 a.m., this group is invited by the Women of Reform Judaism to participate in Awe-some Days of Discovery. Storytelling, art projects, and short lessons will help each child appreciate the meaning of the High Holy Days. Pre-registration for Awe-some Days of Discovery and sitter service is required by Monday, Sept. 22, at the Temple office. Parents are asked to volunteer to supervise for 30 minutes or make a $5 donation per child to help support the program. Overflow parking is available at First United Methodist Church and the Omaha Community Playhouse during all of the High Holy Day services except on Wednesday, Oct. 8, when only limited parking spaces will be available at the Playhouse.
Challah baking: a labor of love by ESTIE KATZMAN for Chabad House Crack the eggs, proof the yeast, measure out the ingredients, knead the dough, shape the loaves and bake the challah. It’s no small feat, and surely not a coincidence that the mitzvah of challah was given to the woman. “Jewish women have traditionally baked their own Challah loaves in preparation for the Shabbat, treasuring the opportunity to perform this special mitzvah,” said Shani Katzman of Chabad House. “The woman, so influential in shaping the values and attitudes of her family, brings blessings upon her h o m e through this mitzvah and instills faith in G-d within those around her.” When 40 women get together to Lily Phillips, right, observes Anna Mosenkis bake some of prepares loaves to be baked.
Omaha’s best challahs, it’s the talk of the town. For weeks, a committee of women gathers to select recipes and bake dozens of challahs in preparation for the evening. “This will be the third year that I’ve participated in Chabad’s Challah-Thon and each year, I think the event has grown bigger and better!” says Kelly Kirk, a seasoned baker. “I look forward to spending the night of the Challah-Thon with my mom and my sister along with my friends learning not only how to shape, bake and eat challah, but learning about its special spiritual significance. Being able to do something as easy as baking challah to gain spiritual reward
is a no-brainer and it’s something I can easily do!” On Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., anyone interested in baking, eating, or purchasing challah is welcome to come to the Chabad House and join in the fun. “This is more than just a baking class,” Katzman says. “It will give people a chance to connect within a traditional context. We will have several recipes to share, and for anyone too busy to bake for Rosh Hashanah, fresh, home-baked challahs are available for purchase.” Reservations can be made by calling Carol at 330.1800 or e-mailing office@ochabad.com.
Robert Pezdertz of Dharma Bread Co discusses dough texture with Annette Wright at last year's Challah-thon.
Shani Katzman explains the spiritual significance of challah baking at last year's event.
September 19, 2008
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 15
ADL looking for new generation of leaders
by THERESE VAUGHN Anti-bias and Holocaust education, intergroup and interfaith dialogue, civil rights advocacy, law enforcement and community relations -- these are just a few of the tools the Anti-Defamation League employs in building bridges across differences throughout the country and beyond. Training tomorrow’s architects of respect is another crucial implement in the ADL toolbox. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m., the ADL Plains States Office will introduce the prestigious Glass Leadership Institute (GLI) to young professionals throughout the region who want to get to know the organization and be a part of its mission and message. Established in 1993, the nationally acclaimed leadership development program offers comprehensive exposure to ADL’s mission, addressing front-page issues from law enforcement and hate crimes in the community to international affairs and Israel advocacy abroad, from diversity and Holocaust education in the class-
room to civil rights legislation in the Capitol. “The Institute is a tremendous opportunity for young adults in their mid-20s to mid-40s to learn about the ADL while gaining vital leadership experience,” ADL Plains States Regional Director Alan Potash said. “In these complex times, we need the ADL and leaders who are committed to its work more than ever.” GLI participants will engage in a series of intensive and interactive seminars throughout the year. In the spring, they have the chance to attend the annual Shana Amy Glass National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The three-day conference features in-depth briefings with top administration and congressional officials, as well as experts in community, intergroup and interfaith relations, law enforcement, counterterrorism, civil rights and advocacy training. Past speakers at the conference include Secretary of State Colin Powell, Israeli Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon
and Ehud Olmert, Senator John McCain, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Senator Hillary Clinton, to name a few. Conference fees, hotel and meals are subsidized by ADL. Aaron Weiner, a 44-year-old Omaha attorney at Abrahams, Kaslow and Cassman law firm and ADL board member, plans to apply to the Institute. “I enjoy learning as much as I can about the League, and this program will offer a more in-depth look at what they accomplish, both here in our region and globally,” Weiner said. The Institute also serves as a conduit between generations of ADL supporters, passing on the lessons of history and the legacy of purpose. Weiner’s grandfather, Edward Rosen, had been a major champion of the ADL throughout his adult life. “He had written in a letter that it was the most satisfying work he ever took part in. I can echo that.” A GLI cocktail party and kick-off session will be offered on Oct. 29 at the Omaha Jewish Community Center. For more information or to register, please contact the ADL office 402.333.1303.
Children’s spiritual needs grow at Temple’s monthly Tot Shabbats by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “In order for our kids to grow up as responsible Jews, we need to start early,” believes Annette van de KampWright, one of two Young Family Planning vice presidents of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). “Children are never too young to start building identity, and we do them a disservice if we ignore their spiritual growth. We need to create as many opportunities as possible for them to get involved and feel like they belong.” “Tot Shabbat is a fun and welcoming opportunity at Temple that provides a tot-friendly service led by the clergy who integrate Shabbat basics, stories, and music,” pointed out Religious Education Director Elyce Azriel. According to van de Kamp-Wright, the service “is a great chance for kids to be part of the bigger picture while providing parents, grandparents, and other family members with an opportunity to bond over a great, home cooked dinner.” Tot Shabbat is sponsored by WRJ and Temple’s Religious School. Sarah Howard, van de Kamp-Wright’s co-vice president, said, “my daughter Destiny is turning seven this month and still loves to go.” Howard and her family have been attending Tot Shabbat for about three years, and “it’s been getting better and better.” “We encourage all parents of children up to second grade to join us every month,” added van de KampWright. Last year, she and Howard began cooking the dinners
that follow the half-hour “kid friendly Shabbat service,” said Howard. “We would get a menu or recipe suggestion from the host family and plan from that. Families get to socialize and kids get to experience going to synagogue and participating in services. We also started doing a craft with the kids last year.” This year, former madrichim and now University of Nebraska-Lincoln students LaShannah and Ashley Bernstein will be helping children with craft projects. This year's first Tot Shabbat at Temple will be on Friday, Sept. 26, and is hosted by Dana and Mike Kaufman along with Nikki and Adam Kirshenbaum. Subsequent dates and hosts are: Oct. 24 with Kelley and Jeff Nogg along with Sarah and Adam Yale; Nov. 21 hosted by Sarah Schroeder, Dorothy Spizman, Beth and Max Spizman; Jan. 30 hosted by Danielle and Jeff Gordman with Mona Jones and Ron Beach; Feb. 20
with Joan and Justin Cooper, Sarah Howard, and Annette and Jeremy Wright; March 20 hosted by Amy and Tim Zweiback; April 17 hosted by Jenn and Matt Kirshenbaum; and May 15 with Elyce and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Lori Bennett, and Toby Fellman. Temple’s new Children’s Choir will sing at the February Tot Shabbat. Reservations for the dinner are required and should be sent to mkube@templeisraelomaha.com or called in to the Temple office at 556-6536. There is no charge for children’s meals; adult meals are $5. “Children may be the future, but only if we take care of their spiritual needs here and now,” emphasized van de Kamp-Wright. “We cannot have too many events that help our children grow Jewishly. Of course, we are also looking for volunteers to help cook.” If you’re interested, e-mail eazriel@templeisraelomaha.com.
HIGH HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE There is no regular news in the Sept. 26 New Year’s issue. The Jewish Press will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, for Rosh Hashannah; Thursday, Oct. 9 for Yom Kippur; and Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 1415 for Sukkot and Oct. 21-22 for Shemini Azeret and Simchat Torah. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: Issue Deadline Questions? Call 402.334.6448 Oct 3 Wednesday, Sept. 24 Photos from last April’s Passover Issue may be picked up in Oct 10 Thursday, Oct. 2 the Press office during regular business hours; photos from Oct. 17 Wednesday, Oct. 8 the New Year’s issue will be available the week of Sept. 22. Oct. 24 Monday, Oct. 13
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Page 16
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 19, 2008
What a year! As we put the final section of next week’s New Year’s issue to bed, it’s a good time to look back and review what’s happened in the past year, 5768. Because the theme of the New Year’s issue is “America Decides 2008: Jews and Politics,” let’s start there. A year ago, the Jewish community assumed it would be a “subway series” between Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Rudy Guiliani, former Mayor of New York City, for the presidency. How wrong we were! Out of nowhere it seems, came Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) to squeak past Hillary for the Democratic nomination, while Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) hung in ’til the end to get the nod from the Republicans. Their choice of vice presidents surprised many as well. Hillary backers hoped Obama would choose her, but he went for a different senator, Joe Biden of Delaware. McCain caught the Dems and the media off guard with his pick of the relatively unknown Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Back in D.C., liberals challenged AIPAC by forming J Street, an alternative pro-Israel group. While AIPAC does not endorse candidates (even though its name -- American Israel Public Affairs Committee -- causes some to assume that it does), J Street does, and has registered as a political action group. In Israel, party politics has been the lead story all year, interrupted only by the return of the bodies of two Israeli soldiers: Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. Their comrade, Gilad Shalit, still languishes in a Gaza prison, held by his captors from Hamas. The performance of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during the 2006 Israeli war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the aftermath of his predecessors’ retreat from Gaza, only added to the legal woes he faces. As of press time, he had stepped down as head of the Kadima Party; two of his cabinet ministers:
Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz were facing off in party elections on Sept. 17. On Wall Street, however, there’s no party. With the over inflated housing market and the burst of that bubble, the summer’s run up on oil prices (which translated to nearly $5 a gallon at the pump) and the fire sale at banking and insurance giants, consumers are wondering which shoe will drop next. Yes, oil has come down -- but don’t rejoice just yet; it’s mostly due to lower worldwide demand which translates as a slowing economy. So the 158-year-old banking firm of Lehman is kaput. But then, the banking houses of Warburg and Schiff disappeared, too, and the earth didn’t stop revolving. But Mother Nature’s revolution hit the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast twice in just a matter of weeks. Damage estimates run as high as $16 billion and more than two million people are still without power (as far away as Ohio!). Galveston’s mayor says it won’t be safe for residents to return for a month. Speaking of safety, the world is still keeping a wary eye on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as he continues to threaten Israel and the West with his insistence on development of nuclear weapons. Iran also has raked in billions on increased oil prices, some of which has found its way to Hamas and Hezbollah, but dropping oil prices could affect that support. With a thin hold over its Palestinian populace, Hamas is being challenged by followers of Al Qaida. In southern Lebanon, however, Hezbollah, has used the cover of UN troops to restock its supply of weapons; it is estimated that
more than 40,000 rockets are aimed at Israel. So here we are, nearing the end of 5768. Olmert has stepped down, and six weeks from Tuesday, America (and the world) will know who our leaders will be. It’s been tumultuous, to say the least, but here at home (and in Israel), we know that power at the top will change peacefully. There will be no riots and no bloodshed, though there will be disappointed supporters. We can only hope that even those voters whose candidates lose will rally behind new leaders for the sake of their country. Regardless of political outcomes, we hope 5769 will be a peaceful year. God help us all!!
FOCUS ON ISSUES by KERRY M. OLITZKY and EDWARD M. FEINSTEIN NEW YORK (JTA) -- “Open for us the gates at the time of their closing.” Worshipers conclude their Yom Kippur prayers every year with this refrain -- a final supplication to be sealed in the Book of Life -- during the Neilah Shearim service that closes the holiday. Neilah Shearim, more commonly known as nilah, literally means “locking the gates.” As we pray for the metaphorical heavenly gates of forgiveness to remain open this Yom Kippur, how can we ensure that the physical gates of our Jewish institutions do the same? Security measures at Jewish institutions, and for that matter all religious institutions, are an unfortunate priority these days. On the High Holidays, we must protect ourselves with security detail and sometimes even metal detectors and bag checks, so that we may devote our time in synagogue to prayer instead of worry. In the presence of heightened security at our religious institutions, it is essential that our synagogues still feel like warm and welcoming houses of worship, not like airports. We can demonstrate hospitality by viewing our security professionals as not only the safekeepers of our institutions, but as the individuals who create a welcoming atmosphere. They are the men and women that newcomers first encounter when entering our institutions. Let’s remind security personnel of the importance of a smile and friendly greeting even while they do the essential work of protecting our institutions. If possible, volunteer greeters or staff mem-
For newcomers at High Holiday services, particularly the many friends and family of diverse religious backgrounds who may accompany them, the experience of approaching a Jewish institution may be intimidating on its own. On our way to pray in a building that we may visit regularly with no questioning at all, suddenly we are given the third degree on a few days of the year. But we accept the security because we understand its importance and already are comfortable within the walls of our Jewish institutions. For newcomers at High Holiday services, particularly the many friends and family of diverse religious backgrounds who may accompany them, the experience of approaching a Jewish institution may be intimidating on its own. Add in the metal detectors, security detail and questioning, and the experience of entering High Holidays services becomes a deterrent from engaging with the Jewish community. The movement for a “Big Tent Judaism” now gaining currency among hundreds of Jewish organizations encourages us to wel-
Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press . Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
As we work to keep our shuls safe, don’t forget to keep them friendly bers should be stationed at the entrance with the security professionals. They can help welcome worshipers and answer any questions about the synagogue, holidays and security process. A simple note of apology posted on the entrance to the building also helps mitigate any ill feelings that might emerge from the encounter with security. Even for those on the inside of the Jewish community, security is an unwelcome challenge.
(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Robyn Belgrade Sales Associate Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
come all newcomers and lower barriers to participation. While security presence on the High Holidays is non-negotiable for most Jewish institutions, there are ways we can open our gates even with the presence of security. Each institution must evaluate with their security professionals how they can best welcome worshipers while maintaining their safety. We encourage Jewish organizations to meet with their staffs and boards in these crucial weeks before the High Holidays to implement simple measures to ensure that our physical gates reflect the metaphorical heavenly gates, the very gates that open on Rosh Hashanah to provide all worshipers with the opportunity to seek repentance and renewal. This year, use the High Holidays to reflect on the physical and perceptual gates that act as barriers to the Jewish community. For one institution the gates may be security, and for another the gates may be language, literacy or cost. This year -- and for years to come -- let’s take a cue from the High Holidays liturgy and really open our gates to the many newcomers to our Jewish institutions. Let’s not miss this opportunity to demonstrate to newcomers and those returning to the Jewish community the Jewish value of hachnasat orechim, hospitality. With sensitivity and action, we can work together to make sure that opening the gates at the time of their closing only exists as an element of the Yom Kippur liturgy. Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky is the executive director of the Jewish Outreach Institute, the coordinating partner of the Big Tent Judaism Coalition (www.BigTentJudaism.org). Rabbi Edward M. Feinstein is the senior rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, CA.
Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1-402-334-5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For more information, contact Carol Katzman, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly on Friday for $33 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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September 19, 2008
Immigration is good for U.S. and native-born workers
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by GIDEON ARONOFF
NEW YORK (JTA) -- The U.S. government raid on the kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, galvanized the Jewish community and Jewish immigration activists. For most of us activists, the May 12 raid -- which netted 389 undocumented workers -- re-confirmed that compassionate, just immigration reform is long overdue. For a tiny minority, however, apparently it presented renewed opportunities to reintroduce a host of red herrings that prey on Americans’ fears of economic ruination in the wake of allegedly unbridled immigration. The current role of immigrants in our economy, as it was when many of our grandparents and great-grandparents escaped European pogroms, is positive. This is as true in the entrepreneurial world, where recent immigrants to the United States have founded Google, eBay and Intel, as it is within the less-skilled labor force. The United States continues to see real economic benefits from immigration. A recent study by the University of California demonstrated that overall annual growth in Gross Domestic Product is approximately 0.1 percentage point higher as a result of immigration. This may not seem like much, but it represents billions of dollars in economic output and when compounded across a generation, a significant improvement in the standard of living for our children and grandchildren. Nor is the oft-repeated accusation true that immigrants erode the wages of native-born citizens and even rob them of their ability to make a living. The same University of California study reveals that between 1990 and 2004, native-born wages increased an average of 1.8 percent as a consequence of immigration. The assumption that foreign- and native-born workers with the same level of education and experience are interchangeable in the U.S. market is another red herring, as differences in cultural backgrounds and language skills prevent most immigrants from competing with native-born workers for jobs. As our country continues to grow and age, we need more people for our economy to run smoothly. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has stated that we need to raise immigration levels to 3.5 million people annually to overcome the effects of baby boomers aging out of the workforce. In fact, many employers need more immigrant laborers than the 5,000 currently provided by government quotas for unskilled workers but have no legal avenues to recruit them. Yet responsible immigration advocates do not support unregulated, undocumented immigration. When we argue for
a generous immigration policy, “generous” does not equal “open.” The exact numbers and criteria should be developed through a rational debate in American society and subsequent action in Congress. Polls consistently show that the majority of Americans wants comprehensive immigration reform that includes a realistic path to citizenship for those already here, as well as smart and effective security measures to keep out those who want to do us harm. We do indeed believe that the 12 million people living in the United States with undocumented status should be allowed to legalize. This policy is not equivalent to supporting undocumented immigration. It simply acknowledges that attempting to deport 12 million individuals, many with children and spouses who are U.S. citizens, is impractical, costly and inhumane. Legalization would be a long process, with appropriate penalties for violating immigration laws. Yet it would be the first step in enabling undocumented immigrant workers to become equal and legal contributors to their communities, giving them a voice to fight exploitation and, as legal residents, call on the government to protect them. Last year the president and Congress had a chance to replace our broken immigration system with a new one honoring core American principles and faith-based values while serving essential U.S. interests. They failed to live up to their responsibilities. By now those millions of undocumented workers who came to the United States to work and support their families, not to harm this country -including undocumented workers at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville -- could have been on the path to legal status and, potentially, citizenship. The situation in that Iowa town is a heartbreaking symptom of the collapse of such legislation. Yet this tragedy also provides the opportunity for open discussion that we must not squander. It is critical that we not lose momentum. We must push our lawmakers to move forward early in the next administration to prevent future abuses and finally solve the myriad challenges caused by the current immigration policies. As consumers of the news, it is important that we not “bite” when baited by red herrings. We must recognize that it is in our best interest as Jews to heed our moral obligations and our biblical injunction to “welcome the stranger.” Likewise, as Americans, it is in our country’s best interest to work together toward constructive, compassionate and reasoned change in our nation’s immigration laws. Gideon Aronoff is the president and CEO of HIAS, the international migration agency of the American Jewish community, which has been a strong advocate for fair and compassionate immigration legislation.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor: I was very disappointed with Sept. 5, 2008, article concerning Sarah Palin. Please visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palinschurch-may-have-sh_n_123205.html, which shows the edition of the Huffington Post that contains a 14minute unedited video of Sarah Palin speaking at her Wasilla, Alaska, Assembly of G-d Church on June 8, 2008, to grad-
uating “Masters Commission” students. These are young adults ready to proselytize evangelical Christianity. Please take the time to view the video and pass it on to others. As an American, I am embarrassed that a major political party has nominated a person like this to lead the country. As a Jew, it scrambles my brain. Gary Weiss Omaha, NE
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Ignoring problems of illegal immigration leads to exploitation
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by STEPHEN STEINLIGHT WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The immigration raid on the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, the largest kosher plant in the country, caught most American Jews completely off-guard. Since the raid in May, which resulted in the arrest of nearly 400 illegal workers, additional serious allegations have emerged against the plant owned by the Brooklyn-based Rubashkin family, including inhumane working conditions, egregious violations of child-labor laws, sexual harassment of female workers and multiple workplace safety infractions. Lost in the controversy over Agriprocessors is a discussion in the Jewish community of sensible immigration policies. Avoiding that discourse is tantamount to complicity in what transpired there, and ignoring the problem of illegal immigration virtually guarantees that Agriprocessors’ despicable practices will be repeated elsewhere. Most Jews have responded admirably to the Agriprocessors news by condemning worker exploitation and advocating ethical kashrut practices. But conspicuous by its absence is outrage over violations of U.S. law and sovereignty by illegal aliens -- the precipitating factor in the ensuing events. Rendered myopic by political correctness and uninformed sentimentality about immigration, many in the Jewish community have failed to recognize that the AgriProcessors nightmare is an inevitable consequence of massive immigration by the unskilled and uneducated poor -- legal and illegal – into a knowledge-based, post-industrial society. When many of our parents and grandparents came to these shores during the great waves of European immigration, the American industrial colossus needed semi-skilled and unskilled workers to fill millions of manufacturing jobs with opportunities for upward social mobility. Millions of small farmers were needed to feed this country’s soaring population, and there was an empty continent to fill. But all that is history. We don’t have a plethora of manufacturing jobs anymore, we don’t suffer from under-population and we no longer need unskilled immigrants. We have 73 million adult Americans with only a high school education, and that’s more than enough unskilled labor. With cheap immigrant labor flooding the market, millions of Americans are unemployed, and many have despaired about finding work. Massive immigration has disastrous consequences for America’s most vulnerable: the unemployed, partially employed, working poor, recent legal immigrants, African Americans and elderly working populations. Legalization will sanction and perpetuate this assault on struggling Americans by flooding the workforce with more cheap labor. A 1997 study by the American Academy of Sciences found that the cheap labor of illegal aliens and poor immigrants caused a 44 percent decrease in wages among the poorest Americans from 1980 to 1994. The immigration policy embraced by the Jewish community establishment is disastrous for America. It condones illegal immigration, and that doesn’t improve working conditions for immigrants but has brutal consequences for struggling Americans.
By supporting legalization of illegal immigrants, the Jewish establishment endorses the Bush administration’s immigration policy, which seeks to create a huge, permanent legal underclass of impoverished immigrants that will drive down wages and worsen working conditions for all Americans. Progressive Jews should oppose returning American capitalism to the Dark Ages. Jewish establishment agencies once distinguished between supporting generous legal immigration as opposed to illegal immigration. But when the leading lobby for increasing immigration, the National Immigration Forum, erased that line, Jewish member organizations abjectly surrendered. The Jewish establishment’s hypocritical approach undermines the rule of law. Advocates of legalization argue that illegal immigrants are easily exploited and that unscrupulous employers prefer them for that reason. Legalization is not the cure, however. The mantra about “bringing them out of the shadows” will not solve the problem because once they are legalized, they have to be paid the prevailing wage, making them far less desirable hires. Illegal aliens are poor not because of their legal status but because of their lack of education and consequent inability to earn better wages. For the past quarter century, real wages for American workers without a high school education have declined 22 percent. The decline among those with no higher education was 11 percent. The reason: the tsunami of illegal and impoverished immigrants. A study in the 1990s by Social Science Quarterly found that for each 1 percent increase in the proportion of immigrant workers without a high school education in any job category, wages for Americans performing that work fell 7 percent. Legalization represents another problem of deep concern to the great majority of Americans encouraging further illegal immigration. President Reagan’s 1986 amnesty increased illegal immigration five-fold. A huge majority of Americans support attrition of the illegal population through vigorous law enforcement, with more than three-quarters choosing attrition over amnesty in surveys. And attrition works: A new study by the Center for Immigration Studies shows the illegal population fell by 11 percent from August 2007 to May 2008 because of stricter immigration enforcement. The anguish of well-intentioned people is understandable, but open borders immigration harms poor Americans without denting global poverty. We can’t mend the whole world here, but massive illegal immigration can devastate America. It endangers national security, the social safety net, our most vulnerable citizens and the dignity of American labor. It challenges national cohesion and sovereignty, and it’s producing a population explosion with incalculably ruinous consequences to our environment and quality of life. Empathy with Postville’s victims cannot justify these threats to the country we love. Stephen Steinlight is a senior policy analyst at the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington and the author of The Fractious Nation?: Unity and Division in Contemporary American Life. He is also the former director of national affairs at the American Jewish Committee.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 19, 2008
Candlelighting Friday, September 19, 7:06 p.m
Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org
Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org
Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154
Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org
The Neighborhood Minyan 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
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE There will be no services on Friday, Sept. 19.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg. FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (3-7), 10 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Live, 10:30 a.m. led by Esther Katz, this Shabbat program for 48-year-olds and their favorite adult(s) No charge, but RSVPs are required. Kiddush sponsored by Beth El; Minha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m.; Selichot Service begins with Havdalah, 9 p.m. and followed by a musical program by Cantor Schlossberg, along with a small choir of congregants. The evening will also be highlighted by the formal installation of Cantor Schlossberg. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Bible Study SUNDAY: Discussion Group, 10 a.m.; Hebrew Crash Course, 10 a.m. with Susi Frydman-Levin. BESTT 7th GRADE FAMILY PROGRAM: Sunday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to noon, for all parents and students. Discussion will focus on belonging to the Jewish community, and an exploration of Jewish leadership opportunities. APPLETINIS AND APPLE TASTING: Saturday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. For all adults in their 20s and 30s in the Jewish community (married or single). Cost, $10 per person, or $15 at the door. To RSVP, send a check – made payable to Beth El – to “Appletinis,” Beth El Synagogue. MEN’S CLUB BRUNCH: Sunday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. The Jewish community is invited for brunch, featuring guest speaker Dr. Keith Lutz, superintendent of the Millard Public Schools. BESTT: Sixth and seventh grade minyan, Sunday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Sunday, Oct. 5, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Cemetery.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
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Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.
free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush Luncheon by Jordana is sponsored Kurtzman in honor of Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah; “Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” are one hour before Mincha; Mincha, 6:30 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit sponsored by Jordan Kurtzman in honor of Rabbi Gross; Havdalah, 8 p.m.; Selichot, 11:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 a.m.; Kever Avot services will be led by Rabbi Jonathan Gross; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. (See list and times at bottom of this page.) WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m. (note special time for this week); Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Sisterhood Lunch, noon, with featured speaker Jan Limpach, owner of Organized Plus. Lulav and Etrog orders for Sukkot are due today. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s weekly class will be on break for the holidays until Oct. 30. Please join Beth Israel next Shabbat as we welcome Rabbi Yitzchak and Talia Mizrahi at a lunch in honor of their arrival in Omaha. No charge for the lunch, but reservations are requested.
CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, where the Mini-Mensch title will be awarded, 10:30 a.m.; Kiddush luncheon follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Heading Somewhere, studying the book of Numbers, 9:30 a.m.; Parsha study, 10 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m.; Bedtime Storytime, 6 p.m. for ages 8 & under, their family and friends. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Halacha, 7 p.m.; 3rd Annual Challah-thon, 7-9 p.m. For more information email Shanikatzman@aol.com. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9 a.m. Kabbalah WEDNESDAY: Circle, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:40 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community.
to reserve space, call
Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451 or Robyn Belgrade 402.334.6559
MEMORIAL SERVICES Sunday, Sept. 21 Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, 11 a.m. Golden Hill Cemetery, 5025 No. 42 St., 11 a.m., Beth Israel/Mt. Sinai, 78th & Crown Point, noon, BHH/Fisher Farms, 8900 So. 42 St., 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 Beth El Cemetery, 84th and ‘L’ Sts., 10:30 a.m. Oak Hills/Bikhor Cholim, Council Bluffs, 11 a.m. Temple Israel Cemetery, 6412 No. 42 St., 1 p.m. Mount Carmel Cemetery in Lincoln, 3 p.m.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following hosted by Lori Merliss. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m.; Selichot Service, 9 p.m. will feature the voices of the South Street Temple Choir directed by Holly Heffelbower and the guest choir of St. Mark’s on the Campus Episcopal Church directed by Kurt Knecht, followed by a dessert reception. SUNDAY: Temple Clean-up day, 9 a.m.-noon; LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gam Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (LJCS grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Choir Rehersal, 7:30 p.m. Back-to-School Supplies Drive: Bring school supplies to the social hall to donate to Saratoga Elementary School. ADULT EDUCATION Path to Repentance, Tuesday, 7 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Miles Remer; Selicot Services, 8 p.m. led by Rabbi Maximo Shechet. THURSDAY: LOVE Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. in the JCC Social Hall.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights, led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel; Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m., led by Rabbi Eric Linder, and Cantor Wendy Shermet; JYG Sundaes and Cosmic Bowling, 8:30 p.m. Meet at Temple for services at 7:30 p.m. After services, enjoy a sundae buffet and go cosmic bowling at West Lanes. Any questions, please contact JYG Advisor Leora Azriel, 556.6536 or LEORAANN@ aol.com. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m.; S’Lichot
Service, 7 p.m. with a musical program “From the Heart to the Heart-Shirim for S’lichot,” led by Cantor Karen Webber Gilat. Chocolate oneg follows S’lichot. SUNDAY: Teacher meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Classes K-6, 10 a.m.; Cantor Karen Webber Gilat workshop, 10 a.m.; Adult Ed meeting, noon; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 1 p.m. TUESDAY: Meet Pakistan’s Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom, 8:30 a.m. (See full article on page 2); Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 712, 6 p.m.; High Holy Days Mini Univeristy, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Annual Blood Drive, 3–7 p.m. Please call the office to make an appointment. TOT SHABBAT, Friday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. Rabbi Azriel will lead Tot Shabbat, designed for birth thru Grade 2; older siblings are invited too. Cost for dinner is $5 for adults and no charge for children. Please contact the office, or mkube@templeisraelomaha.com. Rehearsals for the Children’s Choir begin Sunday, Sept. 28. Directly after school and ends at 1 p.m. Choir is open to students Grades 1-6 and is under the direction of Emily Meyer. Extended sitter service and lunch for choir members and siblings is available.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. No services will be held in October.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m. Contact the office to arrange for a minyan. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group meets at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Call Yale Gotsdiner, 423.7066; Hebrew classes (LJCS grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Gam Simcha-Grade 2, 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at Tifereth Israel.
To Submit B’nai Mitzvah Announcements Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, by e-mailing the editor at: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org or online at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Federation website: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press,’ scroll down to ‘Submit Announcements, and complete form.
September 19, 2008
A simple lesson
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Ki Tavo Our Sidra, assuming the naivete of this stubborn and unsophisticated people, warns them that there are curses as well as blessings for those who enter this new Land. To dramatize all of this, the blessings were to be read from one mountain peak, Mt. Gerizim, and the curses from an opposite one, Mt. Ebal. The people, in the valley between, were to answer “Amen” to each of the two readings. In this dramatic way, the people accepted their moral duties in their new Land. It is a simple lesson, like the lesson a mother teaches her child. If this, then that; if that, however, then this. I do not know (if you do, please tell me!) if these hills or mountain peaks have been identified. But even reading about them is quite enough. It is noteworthy that the illnesses which are in the category of the curses are associated in the minds of the people with Egypt: boils, locusts, pestilence, blight upon the land, scorching heat, fever, famine, and so on. In the same way we think today regarding Africa, for example, so they, too, associated various illnesses with Egypt at the north end of Africa. Today, in our educated and learned societies, we would expect essays in ethics to be printed in handsome volumes prepared for our reading and contemplation. But for these, our ancient ancestors who carried the effects of slavery, the Sacred Text had to speak in simple terms. The threat of exile for example, certainly had to be taken seriously by a people who had spent 40 years in pointless journeys in an unsettled land. The new Land, on the other hand, was to be wonderful. But its wonders had to be earned.
Newcomers meet the community
Photos from top: Selma and Rich Reed meet Community Development Director Janie Murow, right, while Bob and Shelley Ellis visit with Foundation Director Marty Ricks, left, at a brunch hosted by the Jewish Federation on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.
Prayerbooks Available for Visually Impaired The Jewish Heritage for the Blind announced the availability of the High Holiday Machzor in large print and in Braille free of charge for those who need them. A doctor’s note stating necessity is required. To receive a complimentary Machzor, contact our office at 718.338.4999; or fax 718.338.0653; or e-mail to Jewishheritage@gmail.com.
HIGH HOLIDAY CLOSING & EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE There is no regular news in the Sept. 26 New Year’s issue. The Jewish Press will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, for Rosh Hashannah; Thursday, Oct. 9 for Yom Kippur; and Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 14-15 for Sukkot and Oct. 21-22 for Shemini Azeret and Simchat Torah. The deadline for all ads, articles and photos is 9 a.m. as follows: Issue Deadline Oct 3 Wednesday, Sept. 24 Oct 10 Thursday, Oct. 2 Oct. 17 Wednesday, Oct. 8 Oct. 24 Monday, Oct. 13
DEATH STEVEN S. PARSOW Steven Parsow died suddenly on Sept. 10; he was attacked by a swarm of honey bees as he was mowing his lawn. Services were held Sept. 12 at Beth El Synagogue, where traffic jams prevented additional people from attending the already crowded memorial. He was 48. Along with his brother David M. Parsow and Lawrence A. Ginsburg, Steven was a co-owner and vice president of Parsow’s in Regency Fashion Court, a clothing store started by his father. Steven joined the store in 1982 after graduating from the University of Washington. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Jay Parsow, and mother, Lee Jane Parsow. In addition to his brother David, he is survived by his wife, Debra; father, Sol Parsow; brother and sister-inlaw, Alan and Carol Parsow; sister-in-law, Margo Parsow; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Vince and Louise Bazemore; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Denise and Roger Friesen; many nieces and nephews. Memorials to the Nebraska Humane Society or to the family for a playground in Elmwood Park.
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1439 So. 13th
341-2452
Temple Israel sponsors annual blood drive by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Every two seconds someone needs blood. Major surgery and organ transplant patients, trauma victims -due to accidents and burns -- women with complications during childbirth, newborns and premature babies, patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, and other diseases such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia all require blood transfusions. Through the American Red Cross, the honor, spirit, and resources of the American people come forth with neighbors helping neighbors in need -- during earthquakes, floods, fires, hurricanes (like Hurricane Ike which hit the Texas Gulf Coast last Friday night) and other storms -- and also for the deeply personal and often quiet disasters that require a gift of blood. Temple Israel’s Annual Blood Drive will be Thursday, Sept. 25, 2:45-7 p.m. Temple’s Blood Drive Chairman Ron Budwig, chairing his third drive, said this year’s goal is 25 blood donations. To give blood for transfusion to another person, you must be in good health, be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last eight weeks (56 days). “In good health” means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have an on-going health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and the condition is under control after treatment, you are considered to be healthy. Other aspects of your health history are discussed prior to each blood donation. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and blood count are measured. Budwig requested signing up for a time to donate by calling the Temple office at 556.6536 or logging on to the Red Cross website by typing in www.givebloodgivelife.org. Click on to the state of Nebraska, then click on the red box in the upper hand right corner: Donate Blood Now. Then click on Search by Sponsor Code and enter the sponsor code, which is 113 for Temple. You will be at the “Welcome to the Donor Center.” Fill out one of two forms that apply to you and schedule your appointment. Sign up as early as possible, recommended Budwig. Donors can contact him at ronbud1@msn.com.
To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Septemebr 19, 2008