Vol. LXXXIX No. 5 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 89 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
Federation honors community leaders, volunteers
A crowd of nearly 300 well-wishers celebrated the accomplishments of some of the Omaha Jewish community’s most admired volunteers last week at the Federation’s Volunteer Recognition event at the Jewish Community Center. In bestowing the 2008 Humanitarian of the Year award on Evelyn Zysman, Federation President Bob Lepp (at the microphone) interrupted himself when Zysman decided she did, after all, want to address the crowd. Her son, John Zysman, smiled as his 99-year-old mother (who did admit her age!) told the gathering that “You’re all great -- but together -- you’re better!” More photos on page 8
5 Cheshvan 5770
October 23, 2009
Nationally known authors highlight Jewish Book Month by SHERRIE SAAG Administrative Assistant Kripke Library Bestselling author Jaffrey Zaslow and celebrated historical fiction writer Maggie Anton will headline this year’s Kripke Jewish Federation Library’s 36th annual Jewish Book Month, from Nov. 8 through Dec. 17. Jeffrey Zaslow Maggie Anton Zaslow is co-author with the late Randy Pautsch of the block- scholar, Rashi. Set in historically accurate buster The Last Lecture, an inspiring tale Toyes, France during the middle ages, of life lessons that spent an astonishing Anton’s books have been successful both 60-plus weeks on the New York Times on the Jewish book club circuit and as checkouts in the Kripke Library. Bestseller list. Anton was born Margaret Antonofsky His current chart buster, The Girls from Ames, published earlier this year, chroni- in Los Angeles, CA. Trained as a clinical cles the lives of 11 women, 10 of whom chemist, she became intrigued with the are now in their 40s, who grew up idea that one of Judaism’s greatest scholtogether in nearby Ames, Iowa. It is an ars had no sons, only three daughters. emotional, heart-warming and ultimately Her research and subsequent writing has uplifting look at the enduring value of made her a sought after authority on medieval French Jewish women. She has female friendships. Maggie Anton visits Omaha with the lectured at over a hundred synagogues, recent publication of the third and final JCCs and Jewish women's organizations. “We are thrilled to bring these two installment in her Rashi’s Daughters series. These books are a dramatic histor- amazing talents to Omaha this year. ical trilogy about the lives and loves of Jeffrey Zaslow and Maggie Anton were the three daughters of the great Talmud Continued on page 2
After summer as counselors in Western Galilee camp, Omaha teens ready to return to Israel
Europe, U.S. shoulder to shoulder on Iran
Those interested in by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Director of Programming participating complete an and Operations application and go Center for Jewish Education through an interview In July, the Jewish process before being Federation of Omaha accepted for the program. through its Partnership Julee Katzman, associate director, participated in with Israel program, the interviews. “Kefiadah placed Omaha high is an outstanding opporschool students Sarah tunity for young adults Sadofsky and Sarah from our community to Bleicher in “Kefiadah”, a participate in Partnership. program in which they After talking to these volunteered in summer young women, we were camps in the Western Galilee. thrilled to recommend Each summer, Partnerthem for the program, ship with Israel seeks volrecognizing they would unteers between the ages be excellent representaof 19-26 “who are cretives of Omaha.” ative, energetic, outgo- Sarah Sadofsky, center left, holds a camper, and Sarah Bleicher, Katzman continued ing, and responsible and kneeling second from right, were counselors at Nativ Ha’she’ara. “A common thread for have had experience with children.” Partnership pro- past participants is their desire to go back again and vides participants with volunteer placements, housing, Sarah and Sarah’s reaction after their return was the transportation to the placements, most meals, local tour- same. What better measure of success can there be?” The Omaha volunteers were joined by others from ing, a $400 stipend, and most importantly, an amazing platform for making personal connections. Volunteers Dallas, Youngstown, and Canton. The program was then are responsible for round-trip airfare, health insurance, enhanced when volunteers from Hungary, who had transportation costs for private trips, and some addition- worked in Szarvas, a Jewish summer camp near al meals. Budapest, arrived, further expanding the connection parBoth young women received $1,000 Israel Experience ticipants made with others. A story of the program even Grants, provided through the Federation, to help with made the front page of the Jerusalem Post in late July. the cost of their air fare. Continued on page 3
by DINAH SPRITZER PRAGUE (JTA) -- When President Obama announced at the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh late last month that Iran had built a secret nuclear plant in Qom, southwest of Teheran, he was followed by a visibly angry French President Nicolas Sarkozy and an unusually harsh British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Sarkozy was particularly pugnacious when he spoke, warning the Islamic Republic that it had until December to come clean on its nuclear weapons program or face punishment. The usually reserved Brown accused Iran of “serial deception.” Continued on page 2
Inside
This Week: Jewish Camping starts on Page 6
See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12
Playground at Blumkin Home to “work its magic” on residents: Page 3
President Obama speaks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, right, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, during the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh on Sept. 25. White House Photo
Coming Next Month: Hanukkah Gift Guide Issue on Nov. 20 U.S. appetite for Israeli food grows: Page 4
Federation honors community leaders, volunteers: Pages 8-9