Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Klutznick Symposium
October 3, 2014 9 Tishrei 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 3
This Week
by LEONARD GREENSPOON Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations A joke: The first Jewish President is elected. At the Inauguration, his mother is seated between the Supreme Court Justices and future members of the Cabinet. As the swearing-in ceremony begins, she nudges the gentleman on her right: “You see that young man, the one with his hand on the Bible. His brother’s a doctor!” Those who read this joke will have varying reactions to it, depending on how they view relationships within the Jewish family as well as on their sense of humor. This all connects well with the 27th Annual KlutznickHarris-Schwalb Symposium this fall, with its theme of “Mishpachah: The Jewish Family in Tradition and in Transition.” This year’s Symposium will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26, and Monday, Oct. 27. This joke is also particularly relevant to the Symposium’s keynote presentation, delivered this year by Professor Bernard Dov Cooperman of the University of Maryland. Cooperman’s lecture is titled “Family Fictions: How Jews Invent Themselves by Talking about their Parents.” Continued on page 2
New arrivals at the Kripke Library Page 5
Photo gallery Pages 6 & 7
David Brodsky
Joshua Brown
Bernard Cooperman
Joshua Furman
Sarah Imhoff
Charles Isbell
Hillary Kaell
Gail Labovitz
Pamela Laufer-Ukeles
John Loike
Evyatar Marienberg
Susan Marks
Jenny Sartori
Cynthia Shafer-Elliott
Haim Sperber
BBYO news by RACHEL MARTIN BBYO Director Omaha BBYO kicked off the 20142015 programming year with several events during the Omaha Jewish Reunion. We were extremely fortunate
Teen President) Sam Perlen from Nashville, TN, and BBYO CEO, Matthew Grossman from Washington D.C. On Saturday afternoon many BBYO teens, parents, alumni, and
Chocolate Lovers, it’s your day!
Most Israelis favor greater religion-state separation Page 12
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
Next Week Jewish Camping See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
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From left: Sam Perlen, Max Polack, Jordan Saag, Max Gendler, Nate Gendler, Ian Kandel and Alex Belgrade. to have some international BBYO staff join us for the weekend, including Director of the Teen Movement, Ian Kandel from Washington D.C., BBYO Area Director Debra Tozer from St. Louis, International Grand Aleph Godol (International BBYO
local supporters attended the AZA 90th and BBG 70th Reunion program at the JCC. Guests enjoyed listening to Ari Riekes, President of the Henry Monsky Lodge, as the program’s MC, as well as many esteemed speakers, including Matthew Grossman, Sam Perlen, Omaha Council Godol, Max Polack, Mother Chapter AZA #1 President, Jordan Saag, and BBYO parent and supporter, Louri Sullivan. After the speeches, guests watched a photo slideshow of AZA and BBG throughout the years. Perlen, who deferred college for one year to be the Grand Aleph Godol, spent a few extra days in Omaha. Housed by the Saag family, Continued on page 3
Some of the chocolate decadence from last year’s Chocolate Festival. Credit: Cynthia J. Kohll Photography by ALICE KLEIN Many former vendors are returnVice-President of Public Relations, ing with chocolate, candy, baked NCJW-Omaha Section goods, breads, rolls, popcorn, ice The National Council of Jewish treats and more. Commenting about last year, “It Women (NCJW) Omaha Section once more will host the Great was really fantastic,” agreed Helen Omaha Chocolate Festival on Oct. Epstein. “It drew people from all 12 from noon to 4 p.m. at the La over the city, all walks of life, and Vista Conference Center. The Con- was something kids could do with ference Center is located at 12520 their families and grandparents Westport Parkway (I-80 and Giles could do with their grandchildren. Road) with plenty of free parking. It was fun to taste all the samples, Last year’s turnout numbered and it was a really nice community over 5,000 chocolate lovers! With event that involved the city.” She more vendors this year, NCJW has added, “Chocolate makes you expanded its location. “It’s bigger happy, and it was a happy event. We and there’s more room for booths need a few of those!” and attendees,” Jan Fischer, vendor There are over 20 vendors Continued on page 2 chair, said.