Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Rebecca Rosen gives back
October 28, 2011 30 Tishrei 5772 Vol. 92 | No. 7
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by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press On Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., the Jewish Federation of Omaha will host its annual Women’s Campaign event at the Marriot Hotel Regency. Women who pledge a minimum of $36 to the 2012 Women’s Campaign will have the opportunity to welcome Rebecca Rosen, wife, mother of two, author, and psychic medium. “I’m excited to speak on the topic of giving back,” she says, “and talk about how Jewish values can assist us when we do our part towards Tikkun Olam.” In addition, Rebecca will do audience readings. Those readings have made her famous all over the country. While a college student, she connected with her deceased grandmother; she has since developed her ability to communicate with the spirits of those who have passed away. That’s right; she talks to dead people. What’s more: she has made a career of it. If that sounds extremely ‘out there,’ Rebecca is the first to dispel that notion. In her book, Spirited, she refers to her ability as ‘a little twist,’ and insists: “Now, don’t roll your eyes -- I am not your stereotypical woo-woo. No flowing robes, no
lingering scent of patchouli. I look and talk just like many of my ‘normal’ clients.” A regular day for Rebecca starts with a visit to the gym: “I work out
Rebecca Rosen to ground my energy, and then I head to my office. I meditate for half an hour or so, and then see up to six clients, either conducting phone readings, or readings in person.” After a full day at the office, Rebecca goes home and spends time with her husband Brian and their kids, Jakob and Sam. She cooks dinner, and she does bedtime routine;
there’s nothing too ‘woo-woo’ about that. Somehow, she combines mundane, everyday living with her career: “My challenge has been to find and maintain a balance between living in this world as a human being, while embracing my calling, and assisting the spirit world,” she says. “I feel the everyday life responsibilities help to balance and ground me in this world.” If there are some who are skeptical of her abilities, Rebecca understands: “I honor everyone’s path,” she says, “and I recognize that we are all at different places in our journey toward enlightenment. In truth, I too was skeptical of my abilities in the early days, until I had enough validating evidence to convince me it was real. Skeptical or not, I simply do the work and trust that it speaks for itself.” When Rebecca published Spirited (Harper Collins, 2010) it was not with the intention of providing a tell-all, nor does the book allow readers to vicariously live through the experiences of others. Although she shares some stories, the bulk of the book is meant to help readers help themselves. “While I’m able to tap into someone’s energy and offer information Continued on page 2
Maurice Sendak: coming to a library near you by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press On Sunday, Oct. 30, from 2-4 p.m., the W. Dale Clark Library will
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launch the traveling exhibit “In a Nutshell: the Worlds of Maurice Sendak.” The library will celebrate the exhibit’s opening with a special program, featuring a performance by
Maurice Sendak experienced a typical American childhood in New York City that inspired many of his books, such as Where the Wild Things Are. Illustrations in his books
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
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See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press Maurice Sendak has occasionally given names to the Wild Things. The two on the left are named for Sendak himself. The first is Moishe, Maurice’s Yiddish name, while the bull-like Wild Thing is Bernard, which is his middle name. The three Wild Things on the right are Bruno, Emil, and Tzippi. Final drawing for Where the Wild Things Are, © 1963 by Maurice Sendak, all rights reserved. the UNO Moving Company and the Jewish Community Center Dance Training Company, and will offer storytellers, crafts, and refreshments. Popular children’s book author
are populated with friends and family, as well as the sights, sounds, and smells of 1930s New York. Sendak was drawn to photos of ancestors, Continued on page 3
Gilad Shalit comes home by LINDA GRADSTEIN JERUSALEM (JTA) -- It seemed that all of Israel breathed a sigh of relief when Gilad Shalit returned to Israel after being transferred from Hamas captivity in Gaza into Egyptian custody.
Gilad Shalit making a phone call to his parents following his release from Gaza. Credit: ISRANET After more than five years of campaigning for Shalit’s release, and seeing little of him other than the same images again and again, Israelis were eager for the fresh images of Shalit broadcast Tuesday in the hours after his release. The first interview with the released soldier was broadcast on Egyptian Nile Television even before he returned to Israel. In the interview, Shalit seemed overwhelmed, looking down at the table rather than making eye contact with the interviewer and taking deep breaths, apparently to calm himself. “I’m very emotional, I haven’t seen people in a long time,” Shalit told the female interviewer. “I look forward to meeting people, talking to people... and not doing the same things all day long.” Shalit, 25, said he was treated well, and that he knew that people were working to free him. He said he had access to media while in captivity and that he had feared he would be held “for many more years.” It was the first footage of Shalit since a short video released by his captors in 2009 proving he was alive. Soon after his return to Israel, the Israel Defense Forces released a photo showing Shalit dressed in an IDF uniform and looking thin and pale, walking slowly and slightly hunched over. Soon after a preliminary medical check at an army base in southern Israel, he had a long telephone conversation with his parents. Video later in the day showed Shalit walking quicker and looking more at ease. An Israeli army spokesman said a physical showed that he was in good health. Shalit then was flown to Tel Nof Air Force base for an Continued on page 2