Vol. LXXXVIX No. 2 Omaha, NE
Children’s advocate named Humanitarian of the Year by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator and BOB GOLDBERG Federation Communications Director The Jewish Federation of Omaha will award the 2008 Humanitarian of the Year to Evelyn Zysman for her lifetime commitment to improving the lives of children. The prestigious award will be presented on Monday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., during the Federation’s Volunteer Recognition event at the Jewish Community Center. Born in Omaha in 1910 to immigrant parents, she is the youngest of eight children. After graduating from Central High School, Zysman went to the University of NebraskaLincoln and hoped to attend graduate school. One of her professors told Evie Zysman her that she was entitled to a fellowship but said, “Evelyn, you are a woman and a Jew. What would you possibly do with a master’s degree?” Ignoring the comment, she accepted the fellowship from the League of Women Voters and studied at the Jewish School of Social Work in New York. She earned a master’s and worked for a time in New York City for the Jewish Family Service and a foster care agency. She then formed the New York Chapter of the United Social Service Employees Union in the belief that she could more readily help others. “I could do even more for people, like getting them decent wages, than I could do in social work,” she said. Among the union’s accomplishments while she was president was guaranteeing social workers were qualified and paid fairly. Upon returning as a wife and mother to Omaha, she and her husband, Jack, soon founded their own company, Playtime Equipment, which grew out of her desire to provide her preschool-age son with quality learning materials. Education has always been a top priority for Zysman, and she has left her mark on the Omaha community. When neighborhood kids realized that she was reading to her son every night, many of them came in and listened too. “Reading to your children is the most important thing you can do for them,” she says. Her interest in educating children had just begun with Playtime Equipment. A group of volunteers she organized to teach lowerincome children was the predecessor for Head Start in Omaha. She has won several awards for paving the way for Head Start here, one of the first in the country. The Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children took root in Zysman’s living room. She immersed herself in many more efforts to improve the lives of children, including helping to found the Council for Children’s Services, a volunteer advocacy organization focusing on the needs of children, and the Coordinated Child Care Project, clearinghouses geared to meeting at-risk children's needs. One of her goals was to inform legislators of the gap in quality education -- especially for underprivileged children. She convinced legislators that kindergarten should be a legal requirement. In 1965, Omaha Public Schools (OPS) nominated Zysman for a community service award, because she had headed Project Aid, a base for bringing the Head Start program to Omaha. She assisted in getting the first child abuse council started in Douglas County. This resulted in hospitals forming child abuse teams, the development of statewide councils, and specialized treatment for sexual abuse. These efforts resulted in the Continued on page 2
Inside
Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
7 Tishrei 5770
September 25, 2009
Israel, Jewish groups seek to discredit new U.N. report on Gaza by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -Israel’s government and its supporters are promoting a one-sentence strategy to counter a 574-page U.N. report on last winter’s IsraelHamas war in Gaza: Consider the source. “The same U.N. that allows the president of a country to announce on a podium its aspiration to destroy the State of Israel has no right to teach us about morality,” Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said, referring to Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. “This is a report born of bias,” Abraham Foxman, the national director of the AntiDefamation League, said in describing the report released Sept. 15 by the U.N. Human Rights Hamas’ terrorists continue to fire rockets from Gaza on Jan. 4, 2009, during Operation Cast Council. “What do you do Lead. More than 8000 rockets were fired into sovereign Israeli territory since the Israel with an initiative born of Defense Force “disengaged” and evacuated all Jews from Gaza in 2005; 3000 mortars and bombs fell in 2008 alone. The IDF finally retailiated on Dec. 27, 2008. Credit: ISRANET bigotry?” The timing of the report is not propitious for Israel, as The report, written by a fact-finding mission headed it sparks a public relations problem ahead of a planned by Richard Goldstone, a respected war crimes judge summit to reconvene Israeli-Palestinian talks and open from South Africa who is Jewish, urges Israel to set up talks with Iran aimed at getting the Islamic Republic to independent investigations into what it calls Israel’s war shut down its suspected nuclear weapons program. crimes and crimes against humanity. A battery of Israeli officials are touring Washington Calling for the probes to be set up within three months, and the United States in an attempt to convey the the report also recommends that international bodies impression that Israel is more open to negotiations than launch prosecutions if Israel does not do so within six Continued on page 2 months. It makes similar recommendations about Hamas.
A laugh a minute! Klutznick-Harris Symposium highlights “Jews and Humor” by LEONARD GREENSPOON Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University What do Joan Rivers, Molly Picon, Gilda Radner, and Belle Barth all have in common? They are (or were) Jewish, female, comedians (comediennes) -- and among the subjects of the keynote address for the 22nd Annual KlutznickHarris Symposium, “Jews and Humor.” The keynote presenter is Dr. Joyce Antler Dr. Joyce Antler, Samuel Lane Professor of American History and Culture at Brandeis University and Chair of Brandeis’ Department of American Studies. Antler’s presentation, on Sunday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center, is titled “‘One Clove Away From a Pomander Ball: The Subversive Tradition of Jewish Female Humor.” As Antler explains it, some of these women were (are) openly rebellious and bawdy, while others employ more gentle, innocent humor. Nonetheless, all of these comediennes “stretch the boundaries of conventional comedy and gender roles.” Antler is well placed to discuss and evaluate these
This Week: Monthly calendar on pages 10 & 11
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12
Breaking the fast Sephardi style, recipes for the Yom Tovim: Pages 4-5
women within the context of Jewish humor. In the past year alone she has received three important awards: the Abram L. Sachar Medallion, from the Brandeis National Committee; the Harris S. Levitan Education Award, from Brandeis University; and the Emily Toth Award for Best Book on Women’s Issues in Popular Culture and American Culture, from the Popular Culture/American Culture Association. Moreover, she was named Goldstein-Goren Research Fellow for 2008 at the Center for American Jewish History at New York University. Her two most recent books, both critically acclaimed -- You Never Call! You Never Write! A History of the Jewish Mother and Talking Back: Images of Jewish Women in American Popular Culture -reflect not only decades of research but also much personal experience. On occasion, Antler appears with her daughter, Lauren, who is also a comedian. One of Lauren’s favorite routines is “What to Wear When You’re Fighting the Patriarchy: Lessons from the Daughter of a Jewish Feminist.” Lauren says of her mother, “I’ve always been impressed with how she, as a mother, has been able to mesh feminism with femininity -- cooking great dinners each night while reminding us to fight the patriarchy!” In response, Joyce offers some advice of her own about parenting: “Don’t worry about over-worrying. When Continued on page 2
Coming Next Week: Arts & Entertainment Issue Part II: the Budapest connection -“Judaism without Walls”: Pages 6-7
JCC’s newest shlicha arrives in Omaha: Page 16
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2009
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New U.N. report on Gaza war Continued from page 1 the Palestinians and that the principal threat in the region is Iran. The report gives Palestinians and Arab nations an opportunity to complicate that effort. Jewish groups said the strategy now should be to get the United States to dismiss the report as hopelessly biased. Statements Sept. 15 by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, as well as by Jewish groups that maintain U.N. bureaus such as the American Jewish Committee and B’nai B’rith International, adopted that strategy. “Israel does not require any external reminder to probe its just actions, especially from a radical body which is comprised from ‘moral’ nations the likes of Malaysia, Syria, Pakistan and Somalia,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said. “Let us not forget that this commission was a creation of the Human Rights Council, arguably the U.N.’s most flawed body,” David Harris, AJC’s executive director, said in a statement. “The Council has consistently demonized Israel, while giving a free pass to some of the world’s worst tyrants, from Sudan to Iran.” Daniel Mariaschin, B’nai B’rith's executive vice president, told JTA that the report was a case of “There you go again.” He said his group would intensify outreach to member nations to mitigate the report’s damage. Left-leaning Israeli and pro-Israel groups said such an approach misses the broader point: Israel must account for its actions beyond the internal Israeli army reviews under way. “The obstacle to peace is the festering anger” in Gaza, said Mitchell Plitnick, a spokesman for B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group. Concerns about the report’s bias date back to the Human Rights Council’s mandate last February when it created the fact-finding mission and asked it to probe “grave” Israeli “violations of human rights” during the war, launched by Israel on Dec. 27 after Hamas-sponsored rocket fire from Gaza had intensified significantly.
Israel and Jewish groups slammed the council for preemptive conclusions and for not accounting for the intensification of rocket fire under the rule of Hamas. Goldstone obtained the council’s permission to broaden his mandate and consider Hamas war crimes. The report considers the years of rocket attacks on Israel that preceded the war and concludes that Hamas committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. Nonetheless, Israel refused to deal with Goldstone or the council, despite Goldstone’s Jewish credentials and longstanding ties to Israel -- he’s a trustee of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, among other things. Foxman suggested that the United Nations was using Goldstone’s credibility to disguise an inherently biased report. None of the charges in the report’s executive summary are new; the summary appears to compile and replicate many of the charges that were made by some international and Israeli human rights groups. Among other allegations, the report accuses Israel of having created an “emergency situation” in Gaza through its blockade prior, during and after the war; describes as excessive Israel’s use of white phosphorous, a chemical irritant used as an obscurant during the war; dismisses as unfounded Israel’s claims that all of the approximately 240 policemen slain during the war were combatants; and chronicles about a dozen allegations of Israel shooting unarmed Palestinians without provocation. Eli Ovits, a Jerusalem-based spokesman for The Israel Project, suggested an on-the-ground approach to countering whatever deleterious effects the report may have on Israel’s efforts to shape the conversation on talks with Palestinians and Iran. Ovits said his advocacy group would continue to highlight the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by Israelis within range of Hamas rockets and also would note that in the aftermath of the war, Palestinian moderates have grown in popularity at the expense of Hamas.
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Continued from page 1 Mayor’s Commission on Children and the Douglas County Office of Children and Youth. In addition, Evie has volunteered with the United Way; the Urban League; the League of Women Voters; the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) -Omaha Section, on Benchmark, an initiative to raise awareness and discussion about court appointments, Hadassah, and Omaha Together One Community (OTOC) on projects fostering peace, justice, and service. She was also involved in the Panel for Americans, volunteers who share personal stories to emphasize the importance of diversity. Zysman is unapologetic about her pro-choice beliefs regarding abortion. Her beliefs are rooted in her work as a graduate student during the Great Depression years in the New York foster care system. She has worked with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) for decades and continues to get involved in politics by volunteering for candidates she supports. And she’s never been shy about saying what’s on her mind. She also became involved at Temple Israel in social action, was chairman of its Social Action Committee and represented Temple at the RCRC and at OTOC serving on its Library Committee. Judaism means “service” to Zysman. In 1966, the Urban League of Omaha honored her, and in 1977, she
received the A.W. Dark Founders Award for distinguished service to children, which later became part of the Child Saving Institute. Then in 1987, the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children paid tribute to Evie for outstanding service to young children, and in 1992, OPS honored her for starting the ABC program. In 1995, Evie received the Pro Choice Coalition Award for being a woman who has made a difference. NCJW-Omaha Section bestowed its highest honor, the Hannah G. Solomon Award for distinguished leadership and volunteer service on Zysman in 2001. In 2002, the Salvation Army presented her with the Adult Hero Award and Temple honored her with its Social Justice Award. She was elected to the Central High School Hall of Fame in 2003 for her achievements and for providing inspiration for today’s students. The Urban League of Nebraska gave her the Lifetime Whitney Young Award in 2005. In 2007, it was the Omaha Children’s Museum's turn to celebrate her accomplishments at its first Great Friends to Kids Luncheon. In a 2002 interview in the Jewish Press, Zysman emphasized, “I believed, and I still believe, that to take responsibility as a citizen, you must give. You must be active.”
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Continued on page 2 you’re a parent, it comes with the territory. As I say about the Jewish mothers in my book, ‘worrying’ -- even ‘nagging’ -- is simply another term for love.” Antler has also been a longtime board member of the Jewish Women’s Archive. As part of her keynote presentation, she will be showing clips from the Archive’s new path-breaking film, Making Trouble, about three generations of Jewish comediennes. Antler’s address is one of 13 that will be presented on Sunday at the JCC and Monday at the Skutt Student Center, on the campus of Creighton University. Seven presenters will appear on Sunday, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and another five will take the stage on
Monday, Oct. 26, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The topics are wide-ranging, from Humor in the Bible and Rabbinic Literature to the Marx Brothers, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, and Larry David. Many of the presenters will include clips and other audio-visual aids in what promises to be a unique opportunity for learning and laughing. The co-hosts for the Symposium are the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University and the Harris Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. All events are free and open to the public. Further information is available on the Internet at www.creighton.edu/ccas/Klutznick or by calling 402.280.2303.
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September 25, 2009
JFS wishes ‘shana tova’ to tzedakah project recipients
by KAREN GUSTAFSON Director of Jewish Family Service Earlier this month, community members and Burke students helped deliver New Year’s wishes to Jewish families in the Omaha metro area in need of some extra help. Board members Harold Mann and Suzanne Singer and led a cadre of volunteers, who delivered food packages to more than 47 individuals and families celebrate the holidays. Those recipients who can cook for themselves also receive a gift card to buy additional groceries of their Top picture: Nancy Burkhardt’s Family & Consumer Science class from choice, for the Burke volunteers for the JFS project, as did; bottom left: Julie Ginsberg holidays. and Jill Folsom; bottom right: and Wendy Manvitz.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
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Shana Tova u’Metukah FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT by BOB LEPP, President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha As I began my presidency for the JFO a year ago, I anticipated focusing on building and strengthening areas such as leadership training, community outreach, our mission programs and engaging our young people. As we know, our focus was quickly redirected to dealing with the economic downturn. Our primary responsibility was to protect and manage our community resources, while not losing sight of our mission. Today I can report that even though our 2009 Campaign fell short of our goal, we can be grateful to the dedication of the Omaha Jewish Community that has repeatedly proven that Jewish giving remains the top priority. We are reassured in these difficult times that we can rise to the occasion. We’ve expanded Young Jewish Omaha this year with programming for both singles and young families. We’ve had overwhelming participation with our trips to Israel and continue to strengthen our bond with the Western Galilee. Perhaps
most importantly, we have provided the necessary help to community members through scholarships, outreach and assistance. We enter the year of 5770 as a strong and vibrant community. We are aware of the continued challenges of our times, but remain absolutely committed to our vision. Plans are underway for a 2010 formal leadership training program to guide our agencies, synagogues and organizations into the future. Our Federation board will continue to address issues affecting us all, from our children to our seniors, from Jewish education to recreation and from the Omaha Jewish community to Israel, and around the world. In a few weeks, we will launch our 2010 Federation Annual Campaign – the lifeline to all we do. These dollars literally put food on the table, help Jewish children, and support our agencies and synagogues as they provide critical services and education. We move forward in this new year with the confidence that you are with us. You are our greatest resource and we need your continued passion and involvement. I wish each of you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
Local restaurant to donate part of proceeds to Temple trip by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator It’s called philanthropizza. Temple Israel Religious School will be the beneficiary of 20 percent of the proceeds every time someone buys pizza for dining in or take-out from noon until closing on Sunday, Oct. 4, at California Pizza Kitchen, One Pacific Place on Pacific and
103rd St. Pizza lovers must bring in the flyer which can be found on the Temple Israel home page at www.templeisraelne.org (under Save the Date in the right column) when purchasing the pizza. Proceeds will be used to subsidize the 11th and 12th graders’ trip to Atlanta, GA, and Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, AL, in November, to learn
about the struggles of African Americans to gain equality in the 1950s and ’60s and how Jews were involved in the Civil Rights struggle. Students will also explore the creation of rock and roll and how it helped break down the walls of segregation. They’ll discover why Jews, as a people who have known oppression, must care and act when others are
oppressed. Some of the places of interest on the trip are the site where Leo Frank was lynched, the Rosa Parks Museum, The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Freedom Park, and the Civil Rights Institute.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2009
Breaking the fast, Sephardi style
by LINDA MOREL NEW YORK (JTA) -- The day before Yom Kippur, I always go to a local appetizing store and buy as much smoked fish as I can carry home. My selections are hardly ever tempered by my wallet, which is why I’m staggered when I get the bill. I do this from habit and because my family adores these foods. But are bagels and lox mandatory to break the Yom Kippur fast? Ideally this meal should be restorative, easy to digest and readily assembled at the last minute. Bagels and lox meet these criteria, so platters of smoked fish -- along with kugels and sliced tomatoes -- have become the menu of choice among many Ashkenazim in America. But this year I became curious about Sephardic customs. Perusing cookbooks, I discovered a treasure trove of break-fast recipes whose variety astounded me. Sephardim often partake in dairy foods on this special night; bagels and lox are not part of their culinary repertoire. Surprisingly, some Sephardim break the fast with soups and stews calling for meat, and with dishes that are typical main course fare, as opposed to the brunch foods enjoyed by Ashkenazim. While the break-fast menu varies among Sephardim from country to country, their entrees and side dishes are nourishing, delicious, gentle on empty stomachs and economical. They are well worth considering in a year when the stock market remains down and the cost of smoked fish is up. The Sephardic custom of eating meat to break the fast has roots in Spanish tradition. In A Drizzle of Honey: The Lives and Recipes of Spain’s Secret Jews, authors David Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson
Several cookbooks featured Moroccan cited several instances of meat-based menus. Jews in Castile, who clandestinely Lemon Chicken with Olives, a wildly conformed to their religion to avoid the popular break-fast stew, which richly terror of the Spanish Inquisition, often deserves its reputation. broke the fast with fowl or other meat. In Morocco has spawned a spectrum of Aragon, Spain, and in Portugal, fish and tempting break-fast recipes. In the Jewish fowl were the preferred foods on this occasion. The authors mentioned the late 15th century custom of Rabbi Simuel of Teruel: “After the fast, in the evening [his family] ate chicken. Amazingly the family of Aldonza Deli of Teruel broke their fast with doves.” While I’ve never tried a dove -- at Yom Kippur or ever -I’ve always felt a Red snapper with raisins and nuts is traditional on break-fast menus in Credit: Linda Morel nice bowl of Italy. chicken soup would be appealing after Holiday Kitchen, Joan Nathan raved forgoing food for more than 24 hours. about both chicken couscous and harira, In Jewish Food: The World at Table, a thick soup brimming with stewing Mathew Goodman discussed the meat, fava beans and lentils. The original Sephardic custom of breaking the Yom recipe dates back to biblical times. Kippur fast with chicken soup. In Italy, Nathan’s cookbook featured an easy the broth is often heightened with turkey but delicious recipe for Algerian Chicken meatballs and pieces of pasta, which Tagine (stew) with Quinces, which the sounded very tempting. Jaffin family of Algiers served as a main Jews in Greece and Turkey end the fast course to break the fast. with Avgolemono, an egg-and-lemon Of course, no Jewish holiday meal is soup in a chicken broth base that is thick- complete without fish on the menu. In ened with rice. Light and delicious, it’s a “The Classic Cuisine of the Italian Jews,” staple on Greek diner menus year round. Edda Servi Machlin waxed poetic about a
sweet-and-sour fish in the Jewish style. After tinkering with the recipe, I realized this piquant dish would be an excellent way to introduce Sephardic food to the usual smoked fish menu, a way to bridge the gap for those who aren’t ready to jump to meat. Likewise, Zucca Disfatta, or Pumpkin Puree, is a pareve recipe that pairs well with meat dishes or smoked fish. Claudia Roden in her landmark The Book of Jewish Food: An Odyssey from Samarkand to New York, explained that the dish was prepared to break the fast in charming Ferrara, Italy, the setting of the movie The Garden of the Finzi-Contini. Sephardic recipe possibilities go on and on. Moroccan Jews also break the fast with a chickpea and chicken omelet. Or there’s Hamine, eggs cooked for hours until their yolks turn creamy and their whites become light brown. According to Roden says that hamine, which are sold by street vendors in Israel, have come to epitomize Sephardic food there. Like smoked fish, they are eaten at births and deaths, and to break the Yom Kippur fast. Although Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews may come from different culinary traditions, we are tied together by a common heritage. Whether we eat dairy foods or meat, after the Day of Atonement we turn to each other, our families and foods we can count on. The following recipes were developed by Linda Morel.
AVGOLEMONO (EGG AND LEMON SOUP) This light soup hailing from Greece and Turkey is calming to empty stomachs. Original recipes call for homemade Continued on page 5
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Breaking the fast, Sephardi style
Continued from page 4 chicken broth, but the canned broth in this version eases preparation at a busy time of year. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion chopped 5 carrots, cut horizontally into thin circles 1/2 cup uncooked rice 1 (48-ounce) can chicken broth 1 chicken bouillon cube, dissolved in 11/2 cups hot water 3 eggs at room temperature 11/2 lemons at room temperature, juiced Preparation: In a medium-large pot, heat olive oil on a low flame. Add onion and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until softened. Add carrots and rice and stir for another couple of minutes until well combined. Pour chicken broth and bouillon water into pot. Stir ingredients and cover pot. When broth comes to a boil, lower flame so that broth gently simmers. Simmer 25 to 30 minutes, or until rice is soft enough to eat. Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a medium-sized bowl until frothy. Slowly drizzle in lemon juice while whisking. When soup is ready, uncover the pot and stir soup for a minute to release heat. Remove a half-ladle of soup and slowly drizzle into egg mixture, whisking briskly. (If you add soup too quickly, eggs will curdle.) Repeat this 3 more times, until you’ve added 2 ladles of soup to egg mixture. Stir pot of soup again to continue releasing heat. Slowly drizzle egg mixture into pot of soup, whisking vigorously. Soup will appear creamy. To serve immediately, heat soup on a low flame for about 2 minutes, until warmed through. Recipe can be made a day in advance, covered, refrigerated and reheated on a low flame. Yield: 8 servings.
BESCE ALL'EBRAICA (FISH, JEWISH STYLE, FROM ITALY) In Italy, this recipe is made with small whole fish. To satisfy American preferences, this version calls for fillets, allowing the dish to be reheated right before the breakfast meal. Ingredients: 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup dry red wine 1/2 cup olive oil 1 heaping tablespoon honey 1/2 cup dark raisins No-stick vegetable spray 2 red snappers (2 pounds each), filleted and cut into 4 pieces each, 8 pieces in all Kosher salt to taste White pepper to taste 1/2 cup pignoli nuts Preparation: Whisk together vinegar, wine, oil, and honey until honey dissolves. Stir in raisins and soak for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350º. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with no-stick spray. Rinse fillets under cold water and dry with paper towels. Sprinkle fillets with salt and pepper. Place fillets skin side down in prepared pan, overlapping as little as possible. Whisk vinegar mixture again and pour over fillets, evenly coating them. Place pan in oven and bake for 10 minutes. Baste every 5 minutes. Sprinkle pignoli nuts over the fillets and continue to bake and baste for another 10 minutes, or until fish flakes when pierced with a fork. To serve immediately, place fish on a platter and spoon raisins, nuts, and sauce over fish. To prepare a day in advance, cover pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate. Return fish to room temperature. Reheat in a 350º oven for 10 minutes, or until warmed through. Yield: 8 servings.
DJADJA ZETOON (MOROCCAN-STYLE LEMON CHICKEN WITH OLIVES) Jews throughout North Africa and in many Middle Eastern countries cook with preserved lemons, which are quartered, heavily salted, and stored in jars of oil for three to four weeks. This process softens the peel’s bitterness while enhancing the lemon’s splendid pungency. Here is a 30-minute method that approximates the burst of citrus flavor achieved the old fashion way: Ingredients: 1 lemon 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Golden Thread
September 25, 2009
2 cups ice cubes Preparation: With the point of a sharp knife, pierce the lemon skin 4 times, barely breaking the surface. In a small saucepan, submerge the lemon in water. Add olive oil and salt. Simmer on a low flame for 30 minutes. Remove lemon with a slotted spoon and submerge in a bath of ice cubes and water for 5 minutes (lemon may pucker). Remove and dry with a paper towel. Can be made a day before Lemon Chicken, if covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated. Lemon Chicken Ingredients: 1 chicken, cut into 10 pieces (2 legs, 2 hips, 2 wings, and the breast cut into quarters) 5 tablespoons olive oil, or more if needed 1 large onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/4 teaspoon ground tumeric 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped Kosher salt to taste Black pepper to taste 2/3 cup green olives (not filled with pimentos), pitted and sliced 2 packages couscous, optional, prepared according to package instructions Preparation: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil briefly on a medium flame. Saute chicken pieces until golden brown. Remove to a platter. Carefully pour oily chicken fat from pot into a heatproof container. Wipe pan clean with a paper towel. Add remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and saute onion, garlic, and ginger for 2 minutes. Stir tomato paste and tumeric into 1 1/2 cups water, combining well. Return chicken to pot and stir. Add tomato mixture, parsley, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Cover pot. On a medium flame, simmer for 45 minutes, turning chicken and stirring sauce occasionally. Meanwhile, slice Preserved Lemon (recipe above) in half and discard seeds. Cut lemon into 1/4-inch pieces, including the peel. Add lemon pieces and olives to chicken. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Prepare couscous. To serve immediately, place couscous on a platter and cover with chicken and sauce. Garnish with sprigs of fresh cilantro and parsley, if desired. To prepare a day in advance, cover chicken and refrigerate. Reheat on a low flame until warmed through. Yield: 6-8 servings. ZUCCA DISFATTA (PUMPKIN PUREE) In Italy, pumpkins have a different taste and consistency than those found in the United States. In fact the word zucca means either pumpkin or gourd. Original recipes call for fresh pumpkin and entail the arduous task of peeling the flesh from the peel. Equipment: 6-cup souffle dish or comparable deep ovenproof dish Food processor or blender Ingredients: 1 large onion, chopped fine 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Salt to taste 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, plus more for dusting 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more if desired 2 (15-ounce) cans pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon Balsamic vinegar No-stick vegetable spray 1/4 cup sliced almonds Preparation: On a low flame, saute onion in vegetable oil. Sprinkle in salt, cinnamon, and pepper, mixing well. Saute, stirring occasionally until onion pieces wilt but do not burn, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, place pumpkin, sugar, vinegar and onion mixture. Process ingredients until well blended. Check salt and seasonings and add more, if needed. Coat souffle dish with no stick spray. Spoon pumpkin mixture into prepared dish. Recipe can be made to this point one day in advance. Cover dish, refrigerate, and bring to room temperature before proceeding. Preheat oven to 350º. Sprinkle almonds and cinnamon on top of pumpkin. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until pumpkin bubbles at the edges. Serve immediately. Yield: 6-8 servings.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 5
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2009
Part II: the Budapest connection
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senior staff. Szarvas participants celebrate many aspects by JAN GOLDSTEIN Executive Director of Jewish culture and religious tradition, including Jewish Federation of Omaha Shabbat, text study, and a beautiful Havdalah service Judaism is on the rise in Eastern Europe today and (concluding Shabbat prayers) by the river. The camp is Omaha’s Federation is in the mix helping the Jewish pluralistic, ensuring that Jews of all denominations are community of Budapest restore its heritage through tri- welcomed. lateral programming between Budapest, our consortium This was the second summer in which teens from our of cities in the U.S. and our Israeli partners in the central consortium, along with kids from the Western Western Galilee. Last week in the annual New Year’s Galilee, shared a cabin at Camp Szarvas with teens from issue of the Jewish Press, I related news about our Budapest, expanding the connections of the Partnership newest Partnership endeavor with the Jewish communi- program. ty of Budapest. Budapest is a community hit doubly hard However, this was not the first time Omaha has been in the 20th century. represented at Szarvas. Former Omahan Rachel The Nazis came in first to wipe out the Jews altogeth- Katzman reflected on her Szarvas experience in an Oct. er and then Communism came in desiring to leave 4, 2002, story in the Jewish Press. She wrote, “I learned Judaism as a dusty relic to be forgotten with time. Lucky a lot while I was in Hungary this summer. I learned for us, resiliency is part of our history. One of the many programs with which we are proud to associate and one that has produced strong Jewish souls and proud Jewish leaders is Camp Szarvas. Szarvas is a Jewish educational camp for kids from 20 countries. Thirtythousand kids have passed through the camp since the early 1990s and there they have found a love for Judaism, according to Lela, Szarvas’s Joint Distribution committee’s professional. Each summer 2,000 kids, ages seven to 17, travel for days by bus to this JDC subsidized camp in Hungary. This past summer, we met with the counselors who were preparing for the opening summer session and they came from countries like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, India, Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria. At Szarvas, children learn what it means to be part of a Jewish community. They ask the questions like, Top picture: Campers at Camp Szarvas celebrate Shabbat; left picture: Lela a Szarvas/JDC pro“Who am I? and “Do I fessional speaks to the group on their way to camp from Budapest; right picture: Guy Matalon want to live a Jewish life?” meets Martin, a Szarvas camp counsler. Lela is a success story from Szarvas; she first attended about the way kids my age live in other countries comthe camp in 1993. She knew little about Jews or Judaism pared to the way of life in America. I learned that I take as a young woman from Macedonia, where 98% of the a lot for granted in the United States. I didn’t realize until this summer how lucky I am to have the freedom Jewish community was destroyed. “Growing up in a communist society religion was for- of being Jewish in America.” The challenges for those wishing to live an openly bidden. My own family didn’t speak about being Jewish,” she told us. All but one in her family died in the Jewish life in Eastern Europe are real. It is quite eye opening for us. Stacey Rockman met Emma, a camp death camp at Treblinka. Szarvas was the place where Lela could learn what it counselor at Szarvas. “Emma told us that when she was eight, she was playmeant to be Jewish and to meet other Jewish kids who ing in the closet at her Grandma’s and she pulled out a struggled with similar issues of identity. From her Szarvas experiences, she was motivated to tablecloth to have a picnic. She thought there was somevisit Israel and there she re-connected with her one rela- thing wrong with the tablecloth and asked her grandma tive that survived the Holocaust. Eventually Lela made for a pair of scissors,” Rockman said. “Her grandma gave aliyah. However, she returned to Macedonia because she her the scissors and following her saw that she was about missed the sense of community she had found there, and to cut the fringes off a tallit. Her grandma grabbed the scissors from her hand and sat down with her right there, “knew I could do more back home.” She began teaching Hebrew, got involved in organized and began to explain to her that they were Jewish. This Jewish life and went to work for the JDC in Bulgaria. was the beginning of Emma’s Jewish journey.” This experience with her grandmother and the tallit She attributes her “deep passion” for Jewish life to those was a defining moment for Emma. She was apprehensive initial days of discovery at Szarvas. Zoe Riekes, who has twice been to Szarvas as part of at first about identifying as Jewish, but overwhelmingly the Partnership team says, “I get emotional when I hear curious. She learned that it was forbidden to be Jewish Sam Fried, Bea Karp or any of the Holocaust survivors under Communist rule. She started learning about speak because I know that it is so real for them. People Judaism and her family history and became involved in lost people and these young people in Budapest are pick- the Jewish community. Today Emma is 45 years old, ing up the pieces for what happened to their families. married with two sons who spent their childhood sumThey love living in Eastern Europe and the fact that they mers at Szarvas. One son has been to Israel and the other can go to Israel and know that they are part of Israel’s is living ‘Jewishly’ in Budapest. “This year’s trip in July was great in that we have made history means a lot to them. They just want to bring back the Jewishness to their community. They want to the connections work, and that as a consortium, we have made sure that all three sides benefitted from this conlive a Jewish life openly and freely.” A recent JDC press release noted that for the past 19 nection,” said Riekes. The three sides refer to the 16 cities in the partnership years the Szarvas camp has not only facilitated opportunities for Jewish life, but also has been the catalyst of consortium (including Omaha, Indianapolis, Dallas and Jewish identity for countless campers, counselors, and Continued on page 7
September 25, 2009
“Judaism without walls”
Continued from page 6 Louisville), the Western Galilee region in Israel, and the Jewish community of Budapest. “The program, Teen to Teen, had our nine Americans, 11 Hungarians, and 11 Israelis all grouped into one cabin is just one program,” Riekes added. “The older campers, the Post-Taglit group, went to Israel and worked as counselors at different camps throughout the Western Galilee.” The partnership consortium also grew the Emergency Response Group (ERG) by having two doctors from Budapest travel to the Western Galilee Hospital to train as part of the ERG. “These three programs have been very successful and we are going to work on doing them all again next year. They have been successful due to major donor investments, over and above our partnership dollars,” said Riekes.
Szarvas camp counselors and camp director meet with the Omaha Federation group. Ellie Batt, who visited Budapest this summer as part of the Partnership team, noted, “All too often we forget about the vibrancy and creativity of pre-war Europe. Camp Szarvas reminds me of that. It is a joyous and impressive place, full of enthusiasm and smiles. The staff and volunteers do everything they can to make people feel a part of the community.” She added, “It is amazing to hear the stories of young Hungarian Jews who have only recently discovered their Jewish roots. I met a young lady named Zsuzsa, who told me about finding a Hebrew Bible buried amongst the clutter of the family’s bookshelf. She asked her parents about it and watched them whispering to each other. They proceeded to tell her that they are Jewish. Something she was unprepared to hear. I asked her if she was nervous, talking about being Jewish and she said ‘no,’ she wants to be herself and be proud of who she is.” Szarvas has historically offered defining experiences in leadership development and training, ensuring that participants can return to their communities and make important changes to programming and youth activity at the grassroots level. To ensure maximum impact, Szarvas counselors must engage in an intensive two-year training program before they come on staff. In fact, among local
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Jewish camps in Eastern Europe and the FSU, the majority of camp directors are Szarvas alumni. Guy Matalon, director of the Federation’s Center for Jewish Education, spent time with the camp counselors and asked them what messages they would like him to bring back to our community. “One said, ‘Be thankful that you can be Jewish in America and that you can be who you are.’ Another said, ‘I cannot tell everyone that I am Jewish, if I do, they will not talk to me,’” Matalon recalled. Another told him “It is not safe being Jewish in public in Hungary.” One of the counselors, Martin, said poignantly, “It is not easy being Jewish in Hungary, but it is possible.”
The Birkat Hamazon (blessing after meals) prayer is displayed on the wall of the dining room at Camp Szarvas. We can be proud that our Omaha Jewish Federation is actively working to help Jews in need, and in doing so, strengthening our own resolve to continue our important work of building Jewish community and giving meaning to so many people. As we grow our relationships with both the Western Galilee and Budapest, we intend to connect many more people from Omaha to tri-lateral projects within our Partnership umbrella. If you would like more information about the Partnership program, please contact the Federation offices. To learn more about Camp Szarvas, visit www.szarvas.org.
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 7
Tel Aviv at 100: join the celebration
by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education One hundred years ago, what is now Tel Aviv was a vast sweep of sand and a few fruit orchards. When the walls of Old Jaffa could no longer contain all those newly arrived immigrants, people started moving to the countryside, and the Jews moved north and started what is now Tel Aviv. What began as a destination for the earliest waves of Zionist immigrants is now the cultural, financial and entertainment hub of the state of Israel. This year marks the 100th birthday for the first Hebrew city of the modern era. And when Tel Aviv decides to celebrate, it does so in style. The city has marked the event with celebrations all year long. This Rosh Hashanah found Rabin Square carpeted with flowers, a joint event with the city of Brussels. What better way to celebrate the centennial here in Dr. Moshe Gershovich Omaha than with one of its native sons? Dr. Moshe Gershovich, born and raised in Tel Aviv, will lead a five week class entitled “Tel Aviv at 100” beginning Monday, Oct. 19. He will guide students through its history, “linking Tel Aviv to the unfolding of the Zionist ideal and its fulfillment in modern Israel. I will also introduce the city’s most important landmarks, and explore its culture, art, society and neighborhoods.” He added, “Anyone interested in the story of modern Israel will enjoy this class. Named after the Hebrew translation of Theodore Herzl's Altneuland, Tel Aviv started as a modest neighborhood built on the sand dunes north of Jaffa. It was right there, at the heart of “old” Tel Aviv, that David Ben-Gurion declared the Jewish State’s independence in 1948. Within a few decades it has emerged as the largest, most vibrant city in the newly created State of Israel.” Gershovich earned a B.A. from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. from Harvard. He began at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) in 2001 and is currently a professor of Middle Eastern History. The five-week class meets on Oct. 19 and 26, Nov. 2, 9 and 16, 7-8:15 p.m. in the Center for Jewish Education classroom. Tuition is $44, discounted to $35 for donors to the Federation Campaign. Pre-registration is required by calling 334.6445 or email to mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.
Does Your Insurance Cover a Stay at the Blumkin Home? Get the Answer Before You Need It Don’t wait for an emergency to find out if your insurance qualifies you for short-term, long-term or rehab care at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Insurance can be complicated. There is primary insurance, secondary insurance, and long-term care insurance. And various carriers provide numerous plans. Contact Jewish Social Services so we can discuss your policy. Call Shane Kotok, 334-6529, or Shelly Fox, 334-6532.
Jewish Social Services We take a personal interest in you.
Page 8
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2009
New hospitality center ORGANIZATIONS available in West Omaha NEBRASKA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
by SHEVI KATZMAN A new center, aimed at short-term visitors and those who need a place for longer stays, has opened on 121st and Shirley sts., next door to the Chabad House. It will offer hospitality to patients visiting area medical centers and close access to many Jewish institutions in this community, making it a plus for Jewish guests. Community members, who donated funds, are already involved in this new project of Chabad of Nebraska.
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society is looking for information about Omaha, Council Bluffs and surrounding area grocery stores. If you are a descendant of a grocery store operator and/or have photographs that NJHS could copy, please call 334.6442 for more information. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., at the JCC. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638. VISIONS Reminder: Join is for the Annual Mystery Trip on Thursday, Oct. 1. Depart from the JCC at 9 a.m. (be there by 8:45) to return by 3:30 p.m. Cost is $16. Send reservations to Harry Alloy, 11317 Harney Plaza Circle, Omaha, NE 68154. Call him for information at 6978709. For transportation to the JCC, call Florence Hauss at 571.4583. Make check payable to Visions. The Visions Board meets Friday, Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m. at the JCC Visions Luncheon Meeting is Friday, Oct. 16, 12:30 p.m. at Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Celebrate Visions 17th birthday as members Maxine Noodell and Esther Wax share their musical talents. Send reservations to Tootie Simon, 8725 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68114 by Oct. 9. Call Harry Alloy for information at 697.8709. For transportation to the JCC, call Florence Hauss at 571.4583.
Top picture: The Hospitality Center boasts a state-of-the-art kosher kitchen stocked will all the amenities; bottom picture: A new Hospitality Center opened next door to Chabad House. The custom of a center Hachnasas Orchim is an ageold tradition in Jewish communities. Currently, Chabad Houses world-wide endeavor to offer this as well. Chabad of Nebraska offers this program as an opportunity to perform the mitzvah of welcoming guests. To find out how you can be involved in this mitzvah or to reserve your stay at the house, call Mushka at 330.1800 or email Mushka@OChabad.com.
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JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICES CARFIT is Friday, Oct. 9, 1- 3 p.m. at the JCC parking lot. This program helps healthy drivers age 65 and older make sure their car fits them properly as they age. Drivers will be seen by appointment only. Call Sherri in Occupational Therapy at 334.6535 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Appointments are for 20 minute sessions. There is no cost. Note: At no time is a participant at risk to lose his or her driver’s license. B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Jim Suttle, Mayor of Omaha, will discuss his new administration’s policies on Wednesday, Sept. 30, noon at Regency Lodge. A buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to get on the email list, contact Jenny at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
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Leslie and Todd Mogil of Houston, TX announce the July 30 birth of their son, Owen Abraham. He has a brother, Eli, age 6 and a sister, Blythe, age 4. Grandparents are Charlcie and Jim Hopkins of Greenville, SC and Suzi and Mike Mogil. Great-grandmother is Ethel Mogil.
JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Monday, Sept. 28 for Yom Kippur. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
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IN THE NEWS
Former Omahan Alana Kinarsky was awarded an American Jewish World Service World Partners Fellowship! A 2008 graduate of Loyola University, she will leave on Oct. 22 to volunteer in India with Drishti, a social media organization that aims to build empowered communities and promote human rights values through media and the arts. Her volunteer work is being organized by AJWS, an international development organization motivated by Judaism's imperative to pursue global justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community. As part of her Fellowship, she has committed to raising $2,000 for AJWS before she leaves. To support Alana and AJWS, visit http://action.ajws.org/site/ TR/Events/AmericanJewishWorldSer vice?pxfid =1480&fr_id=1050&pg=fund&et=SHAcTiaVt6eve U7nH4hTcw..&s_tafId=1091, to make a donation. Jamie and Jerry Watch of Wood River, NE, announce that their daughter, Zoe Watch, 12, a seventh grade student attending Westridge Middle School, has been honored by achieving the Grand Island Public Schools Standard of Excellence Award for the 2008-09 school year by scoring an ‘advanced’ on all levels of the District Reading Assessment, the District Writing Assessment, the District Speaking Assessment, and the District Mathematics Assessment. Larisa Treskunova graduated from Clarkson College with an associate degree in Physical Therapy. She is the
registered Yoga Teacher at the Jewish Community Center. The Greater Omaha Chamber’s Omaha Business Hall of Fame honors individuals whose accomplishments in business are historically significant to the development of Omaha. Nominations are being accepted through Friday, Oct. 16. Forms are available at OmahaChamber.org/BusinessHallofFame. Inductees will be honored at the Omaha Business Hall of Fame gala on Thursday, April 8, 2010, at Qwest Center Omaha. Individual achievements are showcased in the permanent Omaha Business Hall of Fame display at The Durham Museum. The inductees bring greater notoriety for Omaha, greater opportunity for its people and greater success to the organizations they serve. The industries they represent are as diverse as the motivations that drive their successes. The one quality they share is a tireless dedication to achieving the goals they set for themselves. The Omaha Jaycees are accepting nominations for the 77th Annual Ten Outstanding Young Omahans (TOYO) Award. For 76 years, the Jaycees have honored the most remarkable individuals in Omaha by presenting the TOYO Awards. These Ten Outstanding Young Omahans, between the ages of 21-40, must exemplify excellence in both the professional and personal arenas, while taking an active role in giving back to the community. To nominate a member of the Omaha community for this honor, visit www.omahajaycees.org to complete the nomination form before Oct. 1. The TOYO for 2009 will be announced and honored at a banquet on Jan. 27. The TOYO Committee is currently searching for contact information for all past TOYO recipients to invite and honor them at the celebration. If you are a past recipient and would like to be invited, please contact Rebecca Kaup, 2009 Omaha Jaycees TOYO Director at 402.680.4896 or rakaup@up.com.
OTYG welcomes members to a redecorated lounge on Wednesday nights by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator “OTYG has started a weekly lounge night,” announced Haley Burns, president of Omaha Temple Youth Group. She explained that the purpose of lounge
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 9
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On Wednesday nights, beginning this month, whenever Religious School is scheduled, youth group members will meet at 5 p.m. in the youth lounge which is in the downstairs school wing at Temple. The first Wednesday of the month will be fun night. The second Wednesday
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OTYG members Julie Sadofsky, left, Haley Halsted, Hannah Perry, Cleo Rogers, Rachel Scheet, Jordan Jensen, Yaniv Azriel, Sam Burrell, and Ben Noodell haul out the old furniture so the youth lounge at Temple can be painted and cleaned; A few weeks later, Emily Katz, Haley Burns, Jordan Jensen, and Zane Fletcher (in front) show off the newly spruced up lounge.
night is “to increase the number of active members, get them more involved in planning programs, and have more time to do programs with the youth group. Also,” she added, “getting together once a week will help to create a stronger bond within the youth group.”
of the month will feature a social action theme followed by an educational theme on the third Wednesday. Program planning is scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of every month.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2009
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October FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 FJA Picture Day K-6, 8:30 a.m. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Beth Israel Tashlich, 11 a.m. at Lake Zorinsky Erev Yom Kippur JCC Closes at 6 p.m. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Yom Kippur JCC Closed TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Sukkah Building, 7:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Parsha, Prayer and Prophets, 9 a.m. at Chabad House Foundation Board Meeting, noon Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Visions of the End Class, 7 p.m. Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 OTYG Drop In, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 Visions Mystery Trip, 9 a.m. Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. Sukkah Painting for Kids, 4 p.m. at Beth Israel JFS Love & Logic Class, 6 p.m. Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 Visions Board Meeting, 9 a.m. Say ‘Shalom!’ to Shabbat!, Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 Sukkot JCC Closed
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 No BESTT classes - Beth El Four B’s, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Sukkot Lunch, noon at Beth Israel OTYG Board Meeting, 12:30 p.m. at Temple Israel MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 JSS Nurse, 8 a.m. YES Luncheon, 10 a.m. WOW Soup in the Sukkah, 6 p.m. at Chabad TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Visions of the End Class, 7 p.m. Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 OTYG Lounge Night, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 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 Federation Pacesetter Kickoff, 5:30 p.m. at Ironwood Country Club JFS Love & Logic Class, 6 p.m. LOVE Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 Hoshana Rabah Holiday Shabbat Dinner and Hakafot, 7 p.m. at Chabad SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 Simchat Torah WRJ Board Meeting, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m. Mishnah Club, 3:45 p.m. at Beth Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 JSS Nurse, 8 a.m. Federation Board Meeting & Dinner, 6 p.m. Federation Volunteer Recognition Program, 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 Hadassah Speaker Program, noon OTYG Lounge Night, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 Eye on Israel, noon ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m. Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at FJA BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at FJA Rabbi Mizrahi’s Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 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. JFS Love & Logic Class, 6 p.m. NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Rabbis & Presidents Meeting, noon BESTT Talmud Torah and High School dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 2:30 p.m. at Blumkin Home
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel School Directors’ Committee Meeting, noon Dorothy Kaplan Book Group, 1 p.m. at Kripke Library Yiddish Group, 1 p.m. United Way Disaster Training, 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 Visions Luncheon Meeting, noon Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 AIPAC National Summit 2009, 9 a.m. You’re Kidding ME!, 10 a.m. at Beth El Meet Yourself in the Torah Class, 10 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Nitzanim program, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Beginning Hebrew, 11 a.m. at Beth El Jewish Images on the Big Screen, 11 a.m. at Beth El Florence Eisenberg Concert and Reception, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel Sunday Night Dinner & Movie, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 NCJW Dictionary Day, 7 a.m. JSS Nurse, 8 a.m. YES Luncheon, 10 a.m. Jewish Book Club Meeting, 10:30 a.m. Beth El Womens Rosh Hodesh Group, 7 p.m. Tel Aviv at 100, 7 p.m. Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Havdalah & Ushpizin Movie Night, 7:15 p.m. at Chabad SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 22nd Annual Klutznick-Harris Symposium, 10 a.m. BESTT Family Education program, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beginning Hebrew, 11 a.m. at Beth El Kohll’s Flu Shots, noon MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 FJA Scholastic Book Fair JSS Nurse, 8 a.m. Kohll’s Flu Shots, 3 p.m. Tel Aviv at 100 with Dr. Moshe Gershovich, 7 p.m. Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 FJA Scholastic Book Fair JSS/RBJH Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m. FJA Parent/Teacher Conferences, 5 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. ADL Briefing with Yaakov Katz, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 FJA Scholastic Book Fair OTYG Lounge Night, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 FJA Scholastic Book Fair 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. JFS Love & Logic Class, 6 p.m. Rabbi Gross’s Class, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 Say ‘Shalom!’ to Shabbat!, Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel
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 above events.
September 25, 2009
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Celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torah at Beth Israel by BETH COHEN Executive Director of Beth Israel Celebrate the fall season with the joy of Sukkot and Simchat Torah! The community is invited to attend the observances of both holidays, as well as Shemini Atzeret, at Beth Israel. There will be activities, services and meals you won’t want to miss! In preparation for Sukkot, come to Beth Israel to help put up the synagogue’s sukkah on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7:45 a.m., immediately following the morning minyan. The first day of Sukkot is Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m., brginning with Morning services, followed by a Kiddush. On the second day of Sukkot, Sunday, Oct. 4, a lunch in the sukkah will follow 9 a.m. services. Cost for the meal is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages four to 12 and free for children three and under. Shemini Atzeret services begin on Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m., and will include Yizkor at 10:30 a.m. Shemini Atzeret is the final day of Sukkot and represents the closing of the holiday season. During the yamim noraim, the days of awe, we are closer to God than at any other point of the year. Shemini Atzeret is thought of as God’s way of saying to us, “Before you leave, spend just one more day with me.” Ma’ariv is on Saturday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., and is followed by Hakafot, joyous dancing with the Torah, as we begin the Simchat Torah celebration. Simchat Torah celebrates both the completion and the beginning of our annual cycle of reading the Torah. Enjoy a dairy dinner on Erev Simchat Torah. Cost is $12 for adults and is free for children ages 12 and younger. Simchat Torah morning services will be held on Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m., followed by a Kiddush. “Simchat Torah has become a particularly emotional holiday for me,” says Rabbi Jonathan Gross. “This will be my sixth time celebrating at Beth Israel which means we have heard the whole Torah together five times. It is obvious to everyone how our level of Torah scholarship is constantly ascending, and it is a direct result of the hard work of everyone in shul. As the rabbi, I am truly proud and can’t wait to celebrate together.” To make reservations for meals, or for more information about Beth Israel’s service schedule, please call the office at 556.6288.
Sukkot service to be followed by potluck at Temple Israel by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Sukkot, the Feast of Booths, comes quickly after the solemnity and fast of Yom Kippur. Just five days after asking for atonement, Sukkot arrives to recall the time when the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt and the people lived in unstable booths. To commemorate Sukkot, Temple Israel will bless new members over the past year and everyone celebrating birthdays in October at services on Friday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 11
Derech Torah: Judaism 101 makes its fifth appearance
by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education For the fifth year, the Center for Jewish Education will offer “Derech Torah: Judaism 101”, taught by Dr. Guy Matalon, executive director. “Derech Torah: Judaism 101 meets the need of a single basic Judaism class in the Omaha community. It was developed with input from Rabbis Azriel, Gross, and Levin to offer a gateway into Judaism,” said Matalon. “It is great for those who are exploring their spirituality or wanting a starting point to study Judaism.” Over the past four years, 65 people have participated in the program. The course is designed to introduce the adult learner to Judaism as a religious culture. Jewish theology, life cycle, yearly cycle, and worldview are discussed. The class is ideal for those considering conversion or for those who want to “brush up” on Jewish knowledge. Last year’s class had nearly 20 participants with a wide range of backgrounds. “This course was a great introduction to the religion and helped me set a future course of study” and “Dr. Matalon has a very dynamic personality and did a great job keeping us engaged. He had a fantastic knowledge base -- great teacher” were two comments received at the conclusion of last year’s course. Classes will meet in the Kripke Library, Mondays, Oct. 19-April 19, 8-9 p.m. Pre-registration is required by Oct. 5. Tuition is $150 per person or $250 per couple. Texts required for the course are the JPS Tanakh and Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin. To register or for information, please call 334.6445 or email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org. Brochures are also available at Beth El, Beth Israel, and Temple Israel.
B’nai B’rith to build sukkot on JCC campus
by JENNY GORDON for B'nai B'rith Once again the members of Henry Monsky Lodge B'nai B'rith will join with the members of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) to build and decorate sukkot on the campus. The annual activity will take place this Sunday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m., on the campus of the Jewish community Center. The two groups will build the temporary shelters to commemorate “the Feast of Booths” at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the JCC’s Child Development Center and Friedel Jewish Academy. Volunteers will meet at the Youth Lounge at the JCC. Monsky Lodge will supply the building materials and decorations for the sukkahs and will also provide a pizza lunch for all volunteers. According to Lodge President, Gary Javitch, “Anybody can come; the community is welcome to join us. It's a great chance to have fun, do a mitzvah, meet some new people and get a free lunch.” Since volunteers will be handling tree branches as they build sukkahs, they are encouraged to bring a pair of gloves. For more information about the event, please call the B’nai B’rith office, 334.6443 or Anne Muskin in he BBYO office at 334.6404.
Kripke Library: The place to be for ‘Mommy & Me’ Kids and parents alike gathered around the arts and crafts table last year on Sukkot at Temple Israel. After the service, the first congregational dinner of the year, a casual and festive potluck supper, will be served in the Friedman Social Hall. Families and individuals whose last names begin with the letters A to K are requested to bring a dessert to share with others. Those whose names start with L to Z are invited to bring a side dish for the potluck. (No pork or shellfish.) The main course will be provided by Temple. Women of Reform Judaism will add salad, beverages, and an ice cream and cookie Oneg Shabbat. Although there is no charge for the dinner, please call the Temple office at 556.6536 by Tuesday, Sept. 29 to make a reservation. On Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m., a breakfast will be available in the sukkah; services follow at 10:30 a.m.
by SHERRIE SAAG Center for Jewish Education The Kripke Jewish Federation Library announces its newest program, ‘Mommy & Me’, aimed at the Jewish communities’ newest and smallest members. Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 6, and meeting weekly thereafter, join Gary Katz, Library Administrator, for a fun-filled class exclusively for little ones ages birth through four years. Class meets from 10-10:45 am. For the “me’s”, Katz will include Jewish stories, songs, puppet plays and more. And, lest we forget the “mommies”, the library will have all the ingredients on hand for a perfect cup of morning coffee so you can relax, socialize with friends, and check out the latest materials in the Kripke Library. No need to register or sign-up, just show up. For more information, contact Katz at 334.6462.
Page 12
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2009
Making atonement We’re not perfect. What a surprise! Seriously, the staff and board who publish the Jewish Press each week are, well, people. Angels are perfect; people make mistakes. So with apologies to the now defunct Dallas Jewish Week, who first created this “al Cheit” for newspaper publishers, we ask for the forgiveness of our readers and advertisers. Al Cheit shechatanu ... • for the sin of omitting your name from an article, or neglecting to publish the press release at all; • for the sin of misspelling your name, your child’s name, your parent’s or your organization’s; • and for the sin of making an incorrect change and having to do it all over again! Forgive us; pardon us; atone for us. • For the sin of failing to deliver the Press on time (through the Untied States Postal service) and then for the sin of delivering two at once; • for the sin of blaming the USPS when truly, the main office in downtown Omaha has been extraordinarily helpful; • for the sin of an incorrect identification of your photo or omitting it altogether; • and for the sin of then not publishing it prior to your event. Forgive us; pardon us; atone for us. • For the sin of publishing an editorial with which you do not agree; • for the sin of publishing columnists whose writing you do not enjoy; • for the sin of publishing a cartoon which offends you; • and for the sin of publishing stories you deem too long. Forgive us; pardon us; atone for us. • For the sin of positioning the Press as a pro-Israel publication;
• for the sin of publishing a newspaper that actively promotes the Jewish community; • and for the sin of a pro-Jewish and proIsrael slant (realizing that this newspaper IS owned by the Jewish Federation of Omaha!). Forgive us; pardon us; atone for us. • For the sin of not interviewing you; • For the sin of annoying you too many times to obtain an interview; • For the sin of publishing an ad from your competitors; • and for the sin of not answering the phone promptly or neglecting to return your call in a timely manner. Forgive us; pardon us; atone for us. • For the sin of publishing too many national and international stories and not enough local stories; • for the sin of publishing too many local stories and not enough national or international ones; • for the sin of publishing too many stories about synagogues and organizations and not enough about yours; • and for the sin of asking you too many times for donations to our new independent website! Forgive us; pardon us; atone for us. For all these sins, sins of carelessness, forgetfulness, omission and commission, of lack of timeliness, and for anything and everything we may (or may not) have done in 5769, we ask your forgiveness. Despite our human faults and frailties, we still manage to be the only Jewish community our size to publish a weekly newspaper. That’s quite an accomplishment -- and it’s achieved with a staff of only three full-time and two-part-time employees!
The Omaha Jewish Press continues to win awards on the state and national level and has garnered tens of thousands of dollars in grant funds from local foundations, as well as donations from individuals here and around the country who care deeply about the Press. We take this opportunity to thank our funders (including the Jewish Federation of Omaha), and our loyal readers and advertisers (who know that the Jewish community is a prime target market!) for their continuing support (both financial and emotional!). And in the spirit of repentance, we wish all of you a sweet 5770, filled with every success, of peace and promise. G’mar hatima tova -- may you be sealed for a good year!
BEHIND THE HEADLINES by DEXTER VAN ZILE
The summer of 2009 proved to be a season of discontent for anti-Israel activists in North America. This was the summer when efforts to recruit progressive Protestant churches in the U.S. and Canada into the campaign to demonize Israel suffered some obvious setbacks. Two denominations -- the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Canada -- repudiated statements that demonized Israel. A third church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, passed a fair-minded and balanced resolution about the Arab-Israeli conflict. And the executive council of a fourth denomination, the United Church of Christ, issued an imbalanced statement that still acknowledged that Israel had a story to tell about the ArabIsraeli conflict. These statements may seem pretty benign, but that’s exactly the point. In 2004 and 2005, at the end of the Second Intifada -- when Israel was most entitled to the support and sympathy from right-thinking people in North America -- mainline Protestant churches aligned themselves with anti-Israel extremists by passing a series of one-sided resolutions that blamed Israel for the violence directed at it. The most egregious example was a divestment resolution passed in 2004 by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that stated the occupation had “proven to be at the root of evil acts committed against innocent people on both sides of the conflict.” This was too much even for Rabbis for Human Rights, which responded with a letter
... mainline churches became conduits for the narrative offered by Muslim and Arab extremists in the Middle East to justify the murder of Israeli civilians during the Second Intifada. Given the historical behavior of these churches, it is entirely likely that another round of violence between Israel and its adversaries could give new force to the anti-Israel (and yes, anti-Jewish) animus that sadly enough has been a persistent strain of thought in the progressive Christian community in North America, particularly in the U.S., for decades. Mainline disdain for Israel and Jews was documented by Hertzel Fishman in American Protestantism and a Jewish State (Wayne State Press, 1973). In this text, Fishman details how liberal Protestants condemned Jews for failing to assimilate into American society, argued against Jewish immigration from Europe into the U.S. and Palestine before and during the Holocaust, disregarded and downplayed Nazi
Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Michael Sigmond, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Daphne Pollak Alperson, Marc Brodkey; Eric Dunning; Jason Epstein; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Jim Simon; 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. 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.
The summer of their discontent that condemned the denomination for not offering “one word of criticism to the government of the Palestinian Authority despite its manifest multitude of profound sins against God and the Human Rights of Palestinians and Jews.” This is a pretty strong rebuke from a Jewish organization that has compensated Palestinians for the demolition of their homes by the IDF. Five years later, mainline churches are singing a different tune, indicating that the contagion of anti-Israel animus that erupted in mainline Protestant churches at the end of the Second Intifada has abated -- for now.
(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
violence against Jews in Europe, and opposed the creation of a sovereign Jewish state in the Middle East. They also worked to reduce Israel’s boundaries; once it was created they remained largely silent in the face of Arab threats to destroy the Jewish State before the Six Day War. Sadly enough, progressive Christians in the U.S. -- Protestant and Catholic -- engaged in similar behavior during and after the Second Intifada. Instead of condemning the genocidal impulse expressed by groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, mainline church leaders, commentators and legislative bodies worked to undermine and de-legitimize those components of the Jewish state that prevent its destruction its ability to procure and deploy weapons, field an army, to capture or kill those who would murder its citizens, install checkpoints and to build a security barrier to stop suicide attacks. Mainline witness about the Arab-Israeli conflict portrayed Jewish sovereignty -- and not Arab and Muslim efforts to deprive the Jewish people of self-determination -- as the source of violence in the Middle East. In sum, mainline churches became conduits for the narrative offered by Muslim and Arab extremists in the Middle East to justify the murder of Israeli civilians during the Second Intifada. The narrative was cleaned up a bit, but the overall conclusion is the same. Violence against Jews in the Middle East was the fault of the Jews themselves who would have to engage in some pretty serious self-reform for the violence to end. Now that mainline churches have taken a break from broadcasting this narrative, maybe they can engage in a bit of soul searching to determine where reform is truly needed. Dexter Van Zile is Christian Media Analyst for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America.
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 it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, call the Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $35 per calendar year U.S.; $72 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.
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September 25, 2009
Who are Israel’s accusers?
BEHIND THE H EADLINES by GERALD STEINBERG
Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
Page 13
The Hadassah you know has not changed
promised “accuracy, objectivity, transparency and credibility.” In many instances, the Israel-related Human Rights Watch reports from the past nine years are based primarily on “Palestinian eyewitness testimony” -- testimony that is not accurate, objective or credible but serves the political goal of indicting Israel. For example, in the recent report coauthored by Stork alleging that Israeli soldiers shot Palestinians in Gaza waving white flags, the first of seven alleged incidents includes extensive quotes from the Abd Rabbo family, whose stories changed numerous times from the initial versions told to journalists in January. At the same time, evidence that does not support the war crimes charge is absent, such as the YouTube clips showing clear use by Palestinians of human shields, and of white flags used to protect terrorists and lure Israeli troops into ambushes.
FOCUS ON ISSUES by NANCY FALCHUK
globe. In addition to our hospitals, which are pacesetters in treatment and research, we also run Israel’s premier nursing school and, with Hebrew University, its most prestigious medical school. For more than 70 years, Hadassah’s residential schools have helped Israel absorb and educate thousands of immigrant children -- from Germany in the 1930s, and from Ethiopia and Russia in recent years.
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- One of NEW YORK (JTA) -- They say that Human Rights Watch’s common refrains all publicity is good, as long as they spell is the demand for “independent investiyour name correctly. That may or may gations” based on the allegation that not be true, but certainly it is the case Israel is unable to conduct its own that Hadassah has been in the news a lot inquiries. lately. Officials at the organization have One widely reported story was An organization as dynamic as Hadassah, repeated the claim more than 50 times about doctors at the Hadassahsince the launch in 2000 of what came to Hebrew University Medical with a full agenda for continuing the work be called the second intifada, through the Center in Jerusalem who used a we began 97 years ago, will not be distractLebanon War in 2006 and the fighting in revolutionary technique to Gaza last January. By contrast, they insist quickly diagnose liver failure for ed by a few scandalous headlines, or that Human Rights Watch “researchers” Jessa Perrin, an American teenag- descriptions of events that happened years are capable of professional and, above all, er visiting Israel. Their timely ago and for which we bear no responsibility. moral analysis. They portray themselves diagnosis and coordination with From the first two nurses we dispatched as the objective examiners of the responsdoctors at Columbia-Presbyterian to Jerusalem in 1913 to the new tower es of the Israeli military to attacks from Hospital in New York saved Jessa’s life. Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist Many news outlets noted that Hadassah rising today, the women of Hadassah have groups. representatives were at the White House been an integral part of the building of In many instances, the Israel-related Human So who are these when President Obama signed the execu- Israel. Throughout its history, Hadassah Human Rights Watch Rights Watch reports from the past nine years tive order approving stem-cell research, has sent billions of dollars to Israel. But it’s not just about dollars or about researchers who seek to an issue on which Hadassah has taken a are based primarily on “Palestinian eyewitness building. Hadassah is an all-volunteer serve as prosecutor, judge leadership role for years. and jury in leveling allega- testimony” -- testimony that is not accurate, The Israeli media reported recently that army of 300,000 members and supporttions against Israel? What objective or credible but serves the political goal construction of the new Hadassah med- ers dedicated to strengthening the Jewish professional qualifications of indicting Israel. ical tower in Jerusalem has shifted to 24 people and the State of Israel. Many organizations and millions of as human rights hours a day. Instead, Human Rights Watch includes researchers do they actually possess, and And yes, Hadassah has been dragged dedicated people have contributed to what evidence is there of the open-mind- pages of irrelevant detail that create a into a scandalous story about events from Israel’s growth, but few have been so ed search for truth and rejection of pre- facade of expertise, including satellite the 1990s, when we were victimized by influential for as long as the women of images, medical reports and quotes from unscrupulous people. This last story may Hadassah. But despite our record of sucformed ideological conclusions? The organization’s Middle East and Geneva conventions. have even made some people wonder cess, we are constantly looking at our The same pattern was followed in HRW about the Hadassah they thought they management and business procedures, North Africa division is led by Sarah Leah always striving to improve. Whitson and Joe Stork, each of whom has publications on the 2006 Lebanon War, knew. Like any well-run organization, a long record of anti-Israel activism. Stork and in the reports condemning Israel for If you belong to a Jewish community, was a founder and spent 20 years as writer the use of white phosphorous and drone or if you know anything about the Jewish Hadassah periodically retains outside, and editor for the radical Middle East attacks in Gaza. community, you do know something independent consultants to review our procedures and to ensure we operate as Whitson hyped these activities at a May about Hadassah. Report, or MERIP. Whitson organized anti-Israel events at the New York branch dinner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, along We are visible in Washington whenever efficiently as possible. Our goal is to of the Arab-American Anti- with the need to counter “pro-Israel pres- one of our signature issues -- confiden- thrive not only in good times, but also to sure groups” that seek to impugn the reli- tiality of genetic information and weather new challenges, unpredictable Discrimination Committee. Among those working with them at ability of the allegations. (Infrequent women’s health in addition to stem-cell markets and a changing regulatory enviHuman Rights Watch are Lucy Mair Human Rights Watch reports condemn- research -- is being discussed. We are a ronment. We consider every dollar we (from Electronic Intifada), Darryl Li (also ing Palestinian and Hezbollah attacks are pillar of every Jewish community in raise a sacred trust. An organization as dynamic as a MERIP activist) and Nadia Barhoum, a fig leaves to claim balance and, in contrast America and have a presence in every one Palestinian campus organizer at the to the publications on Israel, carry no of the nation’s 435 congressional dis- Hadassah, with a full agenda for continuoperative agenda such as international tricts. Our name pops up routinely in the ing the work we began 97 years ago, will University of California, Berkeley. To be fair, Stork has claimed that his inquiries, war crimes trials, sanctions or prose of Jewish novelists and the mono- not be distracted by a few scandalous headlines, or descriptions of events that ideological beliefs of the 1970s are “con- arms embargoes.) logues of Jewish comedians. Instead of giving credence to the bogus trary to the views I have expounded for Before American women had the right happened years ago and for which we decades now.” But his 1992 article on research and allegations by Human to vote, Hadassah was organizing Jewish bear no responsibility. We are confident that our friends and “U.S. policy and the Palestine Question” Rights Watch, what is needed is an inde- women to make a difference in the world used the same radical vocabulary, attack- pendent investigation of the organiza- and to take their seats at the table of supporters in America, Israel and around ing “Zionist hegemony,” new colonial- tion’s leadership and a cleaning out of its Jewish leadership -- even if the men who the world won’t be distracted either. We ists, American-Israeli conspiracies, “the Middle East and North Africa division. led the community weren’t ready for trust that you will look at the permanence elaborate ritual labeled the peace process” This would be a major step toward revers- them. Hadassah transformed the role of of Hadassah’s institutions on the landing the deep anti-Israel bias that has done Jewish women and remains one of the scape versus momentary gossip and draw and Israel’s democratic values. Whitson’s activities at Human Rights so much damage to universal human most influential forces on the American the right conclusion: The Hadassah you thought you knew a few weeks ago is Watch reflect the same hostility to Israel. rights. Jewish scene today. She wrote a letter in 2004 to Caterpillar You probably know something about indeed the real Hadassah. Nancy Falchuk is the national presiGerald Steinberg is the executive direc- our medical institutions in Jerusalem, Inc. urging the heavy-equipment company to stop selling bulldozers to the Israeli tor of NGO Monitor and a professor of which have a reach that extends to all of dent of Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist army, saying they were “being used to political science at Bar-Ilan University. Israel and a reputation that circles the Organization of America. illegally destroy Palestinian homes.” She claimed that “continued sales will make the company complicit in human rights abuses.” There was no mention of Palestinian terrorism or the dilemmas facThe Jewish Press will be closed Monday, Sept. 28 for Yom Kippur. ing Israel in defending its citizens. All photos from the New Year’s issue may be picked up in the Press office during regular busienss hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All In Human Rights Watch’s “research photos from prior New Year’s and Passover issues not picked up by Oct. 30 will be given to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. reports” on Israel, the bias of Whitson, Regular deadlines for all articles, photos and ads is Thursday, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 402.334.6448. Stork and others takes the place of the
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2008
Candlelighting Friday, September 25, 6:58 p.m Sunday, September 27, 6:54 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
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B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY, Sept. 27: Kol Nidre services, 7:30 p.m. with guest, Dr. Leonard Greenspoon. MONDAY, Sept. 28: Services, 10:30 a.m. with guest speaker Dr. Oliver Pollak; concluding service and Break-the-fast potluck, 5:30 p.m.
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.; Kiddush sponsored by Nanci Kavich and Jeff Kavich, in honor of their daughter, Chelsea, becoming a Bat Mitzvah; Minha/ Ma’ariv, 7:05 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUKKAH BUILDING: Sunday, 8 .a.m., and Tuesday, 6 p.m. SUNDAY: Kol Nidre, 7:20 p.m. MONDAY: Morning service, 9 a.m.; Alternative service, 9:45 a.m.; Study session, 5 p.m. with Rabbi Jules Harlow; MinhaNe’ilah service, 6 p.m.; Children’s procession, 7:20 p.m.; Sounding of the Shofar, 7:40 p.m. TOT SHABBAT & SAY SHALOM TO SHABBAT: Friday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m. and dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. RSVP’S due by Wednesday, Sept. 30. BIBLE STUDY GROUP: Sundays, 10 a.m.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:58 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush is sponsored by Sisterhood; “Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” are one hour before Mincha; Mincha, 6:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:56 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Reading the Rambam, 9:45 a.m.; Tashlich Service, 11 a.m. at Zorinsky Lake picnic area #2 and a picnic lunch will follow; Mincha, 5 p.m.; Kol Nidre, 7 p.m.;
Babysitting will be available throughout services. MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m. babysitting service begins, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Reading, 9:30 a.m.; Sermon, 10 a.m. followed by Yizkor; Class on the book of Yonah, 4:45 p.m. with Rabbi Gross; Mincha, 5:45 p.m.; Neilah, 6:45 p.m.; Fast Ends, 7:59 p.m., followed by breakthe-fast dinner. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:45 p.m. TUESDAY: Help put up the synagogue’s sukkah following morning minyan (about 7:45 a.m.). A light breakfast will be served; Scholar’s Club for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Class, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s Gross’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m. Make your reservations for the Sukkot lunch on Sunday, Oct. 4, and for dinner following Hakafot on Simchat Torah, Saturday, Oct. 9. The office will close at noon, Fridays, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9, in preparation for the holidays.
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, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Kol Nidre, 6:30 p.m.; Super Sunday Special for adults and kids featuring Kol Nidre and insightsfeaturing “The Opportunity of a New Start,” 6:30 p.m. WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Yizkor, 11 a.m.; Mincha & Neilah services, 6 p.m.; Holiday ends, 7:53 p.m.; Havdalah and Kiddush Levana; light refreshments served to break the fast. TUESDAY: W.O.W. Parsha, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m. FRIDAY, Oct. 2: Services, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Mariv, 7 p.m. All events and programs are open to the community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel. FRIDAY: Peaceful Shabbat
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morning Shabbat service at Regency Lake Clubhouse. SUNDAY-Kol Nidre: No Religious School; Sitter Service, 7 p.m.; Kol Nidre Service, 7:30 p.m. Kippur: MONDAY-Yom Children’s service, 9 a.m.; Tot Service, 9 a.m.; OTYG Food Collection for Yom Kippur, 9:30 a.m.; Sitter Service, 9:45 a.m.; Morning Service, 10:15 a.m.; panel discussion immediately following; Walk of Reflection, 1:30 p.m.; Moments of Remembrance, 2:30 p.m.; Family Youth Service, 2:30 p.m.; Afternon service, 3:45 p.m.; Yizkor &Neilah, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:45 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; OTYG Drop In, 5 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Erev Sukkot: Shabbat Service/New Member Welcome, 6 p.m. with Potluck dinner following services. Bring your family and invite a friend. Last name, A to K—bring a dessert and Last name, L to Z— bring a side dish. Please, no pork or shellfish. The Women of Reform Judaism will provide salad and drinks. Enjoy dessert at an ice cream and cookie Oneg Shabbat following services. Please call Temple, 556.6536, by Tuesday, Sept. 29 to make your reservation. There is no charge for the activities and dinner, but we need to plan for seating and drinks.
FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.
NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Beth Israel Members. SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg and assisted by Zach Bram. SUNDAY: Kol Nidre, 7 p.m. led by Andy Greenberg. MONDAY: Yom Kippur Services with Yizkor, 9 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg; Mincha & Neilah, 4:30 p.m. led by Marti Nerenstone.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Shuva Service, 6 p.m., led by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Eric Linder, and Cantor Wendy Shermet. SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m.; Tashlich Service, immediately following the
There will be no services until after Simchat Torah. Services will resume Oct. 16.
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. FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Kol Nidre, 6:45 p.m. MONDAY: Yom Kippur, 9 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10:30 a.m.noon; Mincha/Neila, 5 p.m; Havdalah/Break-the-fast, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Sukkah Decorating -- students in Gan through Grade 2, along with their parents, are invited to join us at 5 p.m.
PERSONAL Thank you to my family and friends for all the donations and cards in memory of Irving (Sonny) Babendir. - Leslie and Rosalie (Whiz) Babendir
BAT MITZVAH Eden Rose Ginsberg, daughter of Julie and Bennett Ginsberg, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Temple Israel. Eden is an eighth-grade student at Westside Middle School.
Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel with oneg following hosted by Nicholette Brackhan and Randi Emanuel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Special Game Night/ Potluck, 6 p.m. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Yom Kippur Evening Service, 8 p.m. MONDAY: Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10 a.m.; Yom Kippur Afternoon Service, 3:30 p.m.; Yom Kippur Children’s Service (concurrent with readings) all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Breakthe-Fast Potluck, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Sukkah Decorating -- students in Gan through Grade 2, along with their parents, are invited to join us at 5 p.m. THURSDAY: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. ADULT EDUCATION SUNDAYS, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 7 p.m. Taste of Judaism, led by Rabbi Emanuel. For more information or to sign up for the class, please call the Temple office at 402.435.8004. A $5 dollar donation per session is requested for non-members. TUESDAYS, Oct. 6 and 20, 7:30 p.m. Jewish Ethics, led by Rabbi Emanuel and Nancy Coren.
Her interests include acting, singing, skiing, drawing, and taking care of animals. For her mitzvah project, Eden collected items and donations for the Nebraska Humane Society. She has a brother, Elias. Grandparents are Felicia and Stan Schrier, and Marilyn Ginsberg and the late Eddie Ginsberg.
JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Monday, Sept. 28, for Yom Kippur. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
MEMORIAL SERVICES Sunday, Sept. 27 Oak Hills/Bikhor Cholim, Council Bluffs, 10 a.m. Beth El Cemetery, 84th and ‘L’ Sts., 11 a.m.
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DEATHS SHELDON KUSHNER Sheldon Kushner died Sept. 10 at the age of 81. Services were held Sept. 13 at Tifereth Israel in Lincoln. He grew up in the grocery business and devoted his adult life to owning and operating the K-T Market (Hamburg, IA), King Dollar grocery (with his brother Dwayne), Lincolnland Carpet and the Royal Pawnshop, all in Lincoln. He served as president of Tifereth Israel from 1975-78 and on its Board of Directors for years. He served on the school board during his years in Hamburg, Iowa, and was an active member of Lincoln’s Downtown Kiwanis Club. He also served as chairman of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo committee, and on the Community Advisory Board of American National Bank, as well as the North 27th St. Business and Civic Association. He was a natural historian, who put his knowledge to work, serving on the board of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. He was the long-time president of the Mount Carmel Cemetary and served with the Jewish burial society. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marcia; daughters and sons-in-law Cathy Kushner and David Lindholm, and Julie Kushner and Larry Morgan; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Kushner and Diane Bush; son, Benjamin Kushner; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Marshall and Barbara Kushner; sister-in-law, Sylvia Kushner; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Margot Tepperman; and sister-in-law, Elaine Tepperman. Memorials to Tifereth Israel; the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society; or the Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 81826, Lincoln, NE 68501. PHYLLIS H. HOFFMAN Phyllis H. Hoffman died at the age of 71. Graveside services were held Sept 17 at Beth El Cemetery. She learned to read Torah, became a Bat Mitzvah at the age of 50, and frequently conducted services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, including High Holidays and Shabbat. She was also a regular Torah reader at Beth El Synagogue. She was a charter member of the Greater Omaha branch of the International Wine and Food Society and Crew Chief and Logistics Manager for Hoffman Vintage Racing. She is survived by her husband, David Hoffman; son, Craig Hoffman; son and daughter-in-law, Mark Hoffman and Mary Drake; daughter and son-in-law, Deanne and John LeMaistre of Round Rock, TX; grandchildren, Daniel LeMaistre of Lincoln, Joel LeMaistre of Maryland, Matt LeMaistre of College Station, TX, Tom LeMaistre of Austin, TX, Sydney Keig of Auburn, NE, and Asher Hoffman; brother, Michael Horovitz of Minneapolis; sister, Arlene Reich of Minneapolis. Memorials to charity of choice. JACK M. LEVIN Jack M. Levin died at the age of 92. Services were held Sept. 23 at BHH/Fisher Farms Cemetery. The owner of Sallye’s Town and Country and The Avenue, he was well known in the business world as an astute women’s retail clothier. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sallye; and his sister, Bernice Neugarten. He is survived by his daughter, Gail Levin of New York City; and his son, David Levin. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or Temple Israel.
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.
Remember, oh remember
SPARKS FROM THE WORD by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Ha’azinu We are approaching the end of the Five Books of Torah and the New Year has just made an entrance. As we have noticed many times before, Biblical poetry is powerful and thunderous. At the very beginning of this week’s Sidra, the poet calls for the attention of heaven and earth -- so that what is about to be said will remain forever. And yet -- the poet says that his words will be as gentle as the dew in the grasses. Is there corruption in the world? There is indeed, but it is not with the Lord, only with fickle mankind. Is this something you want to know? Ask your father? And your elders many be asked. They will tell you of times long passed. When the Lord distributed the lands of the earth to various nations, to his beloved Israel, He gave the land now called Israel. And so the poet says, You O Israelites: you have grown fat from your accomplishments. You have grown self-satisfied, and not remembering that the Lord has brought you here, you have rejected Him. You have gone after other gods whom your ancestors did not know. The great Rock which is your Father, you have pushed aside. Can you forget the God Who created you? Can you see your God in your eye and reject Him? The Lord now says, “I will hide My Face from them. What can be their future and their end? For they are a rebellious generation. They are children who have no faith. They gave Me away for something of no value; they have angered Me with their vanities, therefore I will give them away, for they are no nation.” These powerful verses, condemning the House of Israel for its lack of faith, go on at length to describe the failures of the Israelites: Now I will tell you, O Israelites, I vow that I am forever and the truths I speak will last through all time. I have unleashed my award as thought it were lightning and My Hand will hold onto justice. I will return vengeance on My enemies and will repay those who have spurned Me. My sword will pierce flesh and the blood will freely flow. In the end, He will see to it that the blood of His servants will rise without limit. He will avenge Himself on His enemies and He will atone for His land and His people. Indeed ... I urge the reader to review these mighty lines on his own, especially as this Sidra is read on the Shabbat before Kol Nidre. I have only done a loose translation for your convenience.
Sukkot comes to Hillel at UNL by CHERYL KRUID Judaic Studies Department Hillel at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be erecting a sukkah on campus for the second straight year. This year, the communities of Lincoln and Omaha are invited to join Hillel for an open house in celebration of progress and growth in to a strong Hillel at UNL. The Open House will be on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m. at the sukkah for all community members to attend. There will be a light snack and drinks provided. The sukkah is located at 14th and ‘S’ streets on the UNL city campus, to the west of the City Campus Union Fountain. Please RSVP via email to unlhillel@gmail.com by Monday, Oct. 5 (with the number attending in your party) to allow for time to order enough food. Hillel at UNL has grown over the past decade from just a few to a strong membership of over 30 students, undergraduate and graduate. We have many functions throughout the year, including Shabbat dinners, social events, philanthropic activities, attending services, and celebrating the holidays.
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CORRECTION The name of Frieda Krizelman was inadvertantly omitted from the list of deaths in 5769 in last week’s New Year’s issue. The Press regrets the error.
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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE
September 25, 2009
JCC’s newest shlicha arrives Toronto film festival attacked but stands
by CAROL KATZMAN Editor of the Jewish Press Elya Wilson makes four -- schlichim, that is. Following the departure of Tamar Halevy earlier this month, Wilson arrived before Rosh Hashanah to become the newest shlicha at the Jewish Community Center. The program, which began in 2004 with shaliach Uri Levin, partners with the Jewish Agency for Israel to bring young Israelis to communities across North America. Vetted carefully by JAFI and trained to work in group settings across the age, religious, and social spectrum, Levin, Zohar Winer and Halevy, all hailed from the Western Galilee, Omaha’s Partnership with Israel region. Wilson, however, was born and raised on Kibbutz Har Halutz, near Carmiel in the mountains of the northern Galilee.
JCC Program Director Esther Katz, right, introduces the JCC’s newest shlicha, Elya Wilson, at a reception last week. Following four years of service in the Israel Defense Force, attaining the rank of Lieutenant, Wilson travelled to China and Vietnam. The oldest of four, Wilson, 23, has two sisters and a brother. Her responsibilities this year will focus on the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games, being hosted by the JCC from Aug. 1-6. And she’ll be working with area synagogues, youth groups, and the Federation and its agencies. Wilson’s office is located just past the Gallery; she can be reached at 334.6403 or ewilson@jccomaha.org.
by decision show Israeli films
trouble began when filmby BEN HARRIS maker John Greyson pulled NEW YORK (JTA) -his short film from the festiWhen Amir Gissin helped val. That spurred a group of come up with an idea to filmmakers and activists -remake Israel's international among them Fonda, Naomi image several years ago, it's Klein, Noam Chomsky and unlikely he imagined that the the historian Howard Zinn showcasing of Israeli films in -- to sign a declaration titled Toronto would spark a star“No Celebration of studded Hollywood brouhaOccupation.” ha over artistic expression and “We do not protest the cultural boycotts. But that’s individual Israeli filmmakers what happened as Israel included in City to City, nor became the major flashpoint do we in any way suggest at this year’s Toronto that Israeli films should be International Film Festival. In an interview last year Jane Fonda, left, and Natalie Portman are on opposite sides unwelcome at TIFF,” the with the Canadian Jews of a controversy surrounding the decision by a Canadian film statement said. “However, especially in the wake of this News, Gissin boasted that his festival to highlight Tel Aviv filmmakers. Credit: Otter Freak/Mirah John/Creative Commons year’s brutal assault on Gaza, new marketing idea, known as Brand Israel, would help reshape public perceptions of we object to the use of such an important international the Jewish state and culminate in a major presence at the festival in staging a propaganda campaign on behalf of 2009 festival. The presence turned out to be the focus what South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former on Tel Aviv as part of the festival’s new City to City pro- U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and U.N. General gram, which included an appearance by the city’s mayor Assembly President Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann have all and VIP receptions in addition to the screening of 10 characterized as an apartheid regime.” Within days, the Jewish federations in Toronto and Los Israeli films. “The way to fix negative images of Israel is to present Israel in a positive light elsewhere,” Gissin Angeles had organized a group of Hollywood stars to sign a statement protesting the Toronto Declaration. The told the paper. But the effort appears to have backfired as a string of statement -- its signatories include Jerry Seinfeld, Natalie celebrities, including Jane Fonda, Danny Glover, Viggo Portman and Sacha Baron Cohen -- ran as a full-page Mortensen and Harry Belafonte, signed on to the so- advertisement in the Sept. 15 edition of the Toronto Star. “Anyone who has actually seen recent Israeli cinema, called Toronto Declaration claiming that the Tel Aviv spotlight is merely an attempt by the Israeli government movies that are political and personal, comic and tragic, to divert attention from its treatment of the Palestinians. often critical, knows they are in no way a propaganda So rather than talking about Israel’s rich cinematic cul- arm for any government policy,” the statement said. ture, the buzz this week in Toronto has centered on the “Blacklisting them only stifles the exchange of cultural one thing Israeli officials had sought to avoid: the con- knowledge that artists should be the first to defend and protect.” The festival stood by its decision to highlight flict with the Palestinians. Increasingly, cultural events featuring Israeli artists the Israeli films and festival-goers would still have a have been the focus of protests in North America. The chance to see them.
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