Vol. LXXXV No. 4 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
4 Tishrei, 5766 October 7, 2005
Damage Assessment Moving Slowly for Jewish Institutions on Gulf Coast by CHANAN TIGAY NEW YORK (JTA)--A month after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Jewish institutions in the region, from synagogues to schools to community centers, are still struggling to assess the nature of the damage to their buildings and the cost of repairing or rebuilding them. “There’s no way of knowing any costs at this point,” said Arlene Barron, Executive Director of the New Orleans Jewish Community Center. “It’s very frustrating, it’s very tough, because it’s all moving so slowly. In New Orleans we haven’t even been allowed back in yet, really.” Part of the problem, say Jewish community officials, is that insurance adjusters, who are overwhelmed dealing with numerous claims in the storm’s aftermath, don’t put institutions on their to-do lists until the areas where they are located are re-opened. As such, some organizations are simply stuck waiting for adjusters to inspect their buildings. In the meantime, some organizations are taking small steps to help minimize the damage. At the Chabad Jewish Center in
An Israeli volunteer helps in the rescue and recovery effort in hard hit areas of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, in September. Credit: Courtesy of IsraAID/Israeli Flying Aid
Home is Where Your Story Begins Say Pacesetter, Lion of Judah Chairmen by OZZIE NOGG Patty Nogg and Jim Farber, respective chairs of the Lion of Judah and Pacesetter Divisions of the 2006 Federation Campaign, understand the Omaha Jewish community, its past history and its current needs, and bring their own personal perspectives to the fundraising process. “My husband, Steve, and I raised our kids in this community,” Patty says, “where Jim Farber they had so many opportuPacesetter Chairman nities. Our sons moved away for a while, but now things are coming full circle and they’ve chosen to come back to Omaha and live here. “I believe so much in the entire Federation organization, especially its programs that serve young families. Our contributions to Campaign help continue those programs for the next generation and beyond.” Jim adds, “Our job is to take care of this community, to provide services as needed from childhood through old age. We show our commitment with the Child Development Center, the JCC, the Blumkin Home. The entire Campus is a physical sign that gives us credibility, stature and shows our strength.” Recently, while in a local coffee shop, Patty noticed a sampler that read, ‘Home Is Where Your Story Begins.’ “Those words really spoke to me,” she says. “All our stories begin at home. Mine certainly did. My grandparents, Harry and Annie Cohen, always gave us Israel bonds or planted trees in Israel for our birthdays. My grandfather owned the Iowa Clothes Shop in Council Bluffs, and I remember hearing stories about how he helped out the men who had served in WWII.
Inside Opinion Page see page 12
“He gave them suits of clothes for whatever down payment they could afford-sometimes just a dollar--so they would look good when they went to interview for a job. I imagine they eventually paid him in full, but who knows. My grandfather was so trusting, he gave from his heart. “And I have all my grandmother Annie’s Hadassah memorabilia at my house, scrapbooks full of articles Patty Nogg Lion of Judah Chairman about the good work she and others did. My folks were active, too, in the synagogue, Sisterhood, B’nai B’rith, Philanthropies and the American Red Cross. It’s what I was raised to do, help others.” Jim’s echo is succinct. “I do this because my parents raised me to do it. They’d want me to do it.” Jim admits he sometimes feels concerned about the future and wonders where the new leadership and dollars will come from. “My folks’ generation had those same concerns, but the manpower and financial resources seem to regenerate themselves. It’s good to see our young leaders take part in the 2006 Campaign. They pep the thing up.” In 2001 and 2002, Patty co-chaired the Women’s Division with Joanie Jacobson. “Once you’ve had that experience,” she says with a smile, “you don’t want to be ‘put out to pasture’, so I’m happy to have this new role.” When speaking of her original Campaign involvement, Patty says, “Years ago, as a young bride, my first Campaign gift was $52. I was asked to give a dollar a week and that was simple for me to understand. It was such an easy way to start, a way to get my feet wet. Continued on page 7
This Week: Teen Age Features USY on page 11 Liev is Illuminated-a Film Review: Page 3
Love of Learning Unites Beth El Study Group: Page 5
Metarie, LA, a clean-up crew went in last week and pulled out sheet rock and insulation to staunch the spread of mold in the synagogue building, which took in about two feet of water during Katrina. The Goldring-Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus in Metarie, which houses the suburban branch of the JCC, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the New Orleans Jewish Day School, took about eight inches of water on its first floor in Katrina. Eric Stillman, the Federation’s Executive Director, said that following the storm, an insurance agent told Jewish officials that it would be alright for them to perform some immediate tasks to prevent the spread of mold: they restarted the building’s air conditioning and sheet rock and wall coverings were torn out on the first floor. In addition, furniture and some flooring materials were removed. Meanwhile, synagogues throughout the area were busy trying to figure out not only how badly their facilities had been damaged, but where their congregants will be praying as the High Holidays approach. Several Torah scrolls hustled out of Continued on page 8
Kripke Library Announces “Incredible Lineup” for Jewish Book Fair by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The 32nd Annual Jewish Book Fair jump starts on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., with Omaha native Eric Konigsberg speaking about his first book, Blood Relation. He tackles a long suppressed family secret that his great-uncle was a legendary Mafia hit-man. Hear Sam Apple, author of Schlepping Through the Alps, a week later on Nov. 9, 7 p.m., as he details his strange trip with an Austrian shepherd, Hans Breuer, a singer and preserver of Yiddish songs through the Austrian countryside. Humorist Judith Viorst will be speaking on her latest collection, I’m too Young to be Seventy, at the Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 8, 11:45 a.m. The cost is $12 and reservations are required. And as a special treat, famous mystery writer Rochelle Krich will lead book discussion on her latest recent bestseller, Now You See Me, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m., in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. All books by these authors are available in the Kripke Library for purchase. “Chanu-Kid’s” returns on Sunday, Dec. 11, 3-5 p.m., in the Kripke Library, is a special Hanukkah program for all preschool through third grade children with music, story-telling, games, prizes and more. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to attend, enjoy watching the activities and browse the special selection of children’s books and games available for purchase. The Kripke Jewish Federation Library will have a wonderful array of books, games, toys and more for sale--all to enhance your own personal library. This is a great opportunity to browse and select items for gift giving. For more information about Jewish Book Fair or to make reservations, contact me at 334.6462 or gkatz@jewishomaha.org.
Coming This Month: Special Issue on Education & Camping Reat It & Eat Features An Exaltation of Soups: Page 10
Temple Israel Moving Ahead with New Building: Page 16