Vol. 90 No. 7 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Institute for Holocaust Education to receive community service award by ILANA WEISS teachers who reserved student seats. The Institute for Holocaust Education Brundibár could not have been the success it was The Institute for Holocaust Education will be pleased without the immeasurable volunteer work of to accept the Jewish Chairperson Eunie Federation of Denenberg and her Omaha’s Community daughter Debbie Service Award on Denenberg who kept Tuesday, Oct. 26 for the project on track the second year in a during two years of row. The IHE will planning. Over 80 volreceive this award in unteers participated by recognition of its procalling schools, superduction of Brundibár vising rehearsals, servin November 2009. In ing as hosts during addition, Eunie student performances Denenberg, project and much more. chairperson and IHE When asked about Governance Council her experience of volmember will receive unteering during the the IHE Volunteer of IHE’s production of the Year award. Brundibár volunteer During the week of Daphna Pollak our Brundibár perexpressed, “It meant a formance, the IHE lot to me to help eduhosted over 9,500 cate youngsters in our children from Omaha, community about the Lincoln and Iowa at Ela Weissberger, the original cat in the Terezín productions of Brundibár Holocaust, especially the Rose Theater, and and Eunie Denenberg. while we still have surover 600 community members at the public perform- vivors alive to share their stories, and it was clear that the ance on Nov. 7. More than 70 schools were represent- collaboration between the IHE and Opera Omaha on ed, and many homeschoolers and guests were present. Brundibár would produce an unforgettable experience! Educators in the community contributed to an extensive Volunteering also gave me a chance to learn a bit more educational Brundibár Guide which was sent to all Continued on page 9
Kosher camping by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT ended Friday before Shabbat, so there were no issues Howard Gendelman and Bonnie Bloch like adven- with keeping Shabbat and staying off the river.” tures. They also keep kosher, and combining the two Then, in 2007, the decision was made to take the can be a bit of a challenge. Who hasn’t longingly looked longer trip that would encompass the lower half of the at a vacation package, only to wonder whether what canyon. It’s at least eight days, and so it would autoyou’re fed during that vacation can pass muster? matically include Shabbat. “Our trip in 2003 was a first Howard and for the Outdoors Bonnie found a Unlimited compasolution with ny,” Bonnie says, O u t d o o r s “but they were so Unlimited (O.U.!), successful in exea company that not cuting everything only organizes outperfectly. They doors trips, but was really educated willing to make it themselves about entirely kosher. utensils, about They took their keeping food sepafirst trip in 2003, rate, they were so accompanied by informed. We were two of their chilconfident this dren and several would work out friends from just as well the secMaryland, where ond time.” they used to live. This time, the “In total, we had Boating down the Colorado River Lesley Gendelman, second from left, and group wanted to 18 people from Bonnie Bloch, second from right. fill all 24 slots with Silver Spring, MD, who were Orthodox and wanted this observant Jews, and they ran ads in several newspapers kosher trip,” Bonnie remembers. “Our son Adam and to include people from places besides Silver Spring. They daughter Sierra were with us, as well as six non-Jewish managed to attract enough people, and together with people to fill up the group, four boats, and guides, as son Adam and daughter Lesley, Bonnie and Howard well as extra boats for luggage.” flew into Las Vegas and took a small aircraft from there For five days, they paddled the Colorado River, hiked, to the Grand Canyon. and explored. They slept outdoors rather than in tents, “Most of us knew each other from before, and we and by the end of the trip they checked into a lodge made sure to mix up the boats so the ‘new’ people didwhere Shabbat could be observed. n’t feel left out. Besides, when you spend that many days “That first trip was short; it started on Sunday, and Continued on page 10
Inside Op-Ed Page: see page 12
This Week: Jewish Camping starts on Page 10 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press’
Adam Lehman receives GOAL Award Page 2
7 Cheshvan 5770
October 15, 2010
Taking care of others is Sheila Tomps’ profession by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Sheila Tomps never says no to the Blumkin Home. She’s “always” there helping at all Blumkin Home special events, programs, or just sitting with residents to keep them company. At family dinners and holiday meals, she sits with residents whose families can’t be with them. She also takes residents to their doctor appointments as well as cultural events at the Jewish Community Center and in the community. When Tomps is at the Home, she always welcomes newcomers. She’s been on the L.O.V.E. Board for about three Sheila Tomps years and has been on the Temple Israel Caring Committee as well. One of the Caring Committee’s functions is to visit Temple residents at the Blumkin Home on Friday afternoons, bring a snack or two, and chat a bit. Tomps makes the rounds with the Caring Committee and on her own. “Sheila makes a difference in the lives of all of our residents,” said Lois Wine, director of volunteer services at the Blumkin Home. “Sheila truly cares about each and every one of the residents. She is our angel.” In addition, she’s “always” at Remington Heights assisting when Temple Israel’s clergy leads “Shabbat Comes to You.” She also goes to Remington Heights on other days of the week to visit residents. Likewise, she visits residents at Skyline Manor. She thinks of all her humanitarian efforts as her profession. At Temple Israel, Tomps graciously invites newcomers to sit with her at worship services. She arranges trays for Oneg Shabbats and has even been spotted washing dishes in the kitchen. She’s “always” here, too, says Executive Director Dennis DePorte. “She asks before we need her.” Whatever is needed……she does it. For a “life that embodies the values of kindness and compassion and whose actions have been devoted to helping others lead meaningful, dignified lives,” the Jewish Federation has selected Tomps to receive its Chesed (loosely translated as kindness) Award. It’s been about ten years since the Jewish Federation last awarded this honor to a member of the community. For more than 30 years, Tomps volunteered at Western Hills School. She helped take children on field trips and assisted children on a one-to-one basis. She also volunteered at Rose Hill School where she assisted special education students. Over the years, Tomps has been active with Special Olympics as well. When her three sons were younger, Tomps was especially active with the Boy Scouts and the Eagle Scout program. All three boys became Eagle Scouts. She’s constantly baking cookies and honey cakes for Rosh Hashanah, hamantaschen for Purim and taking them to people who cannot make their own or go shopping. She knows who likes poppy seed hamantaschen and who doesn’t -- everyone gets their favorite flavor. For people who are recuperating from hospital stays, Tomps delivers entire meals to their homes. Even as a young girl, following in the steps that her mother walked, Tomps helped neighbors clean their homes and wouldn’t accept payment. She continues to be “an angel” today whether caring for ill family members or reaching out to strangers. She will be publicly recognized at the Federation Volunteer Recognition Reception on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 pm, at the Jewish Community Center.
Coming Oct. 29: America Decides - Election Preview Klutznick-Harris Symposium on “Jews in the Gym” Page 3
Jewish Federation recognizes 2009 Volunteers of the Year Page 8