October 29, 2004

Page 1

Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

Presidential Candidates’ Wives Speak Their Minds at Lion Event by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA)-Blessing a hall full of Jewish women, Susan Stern invoked a litany of matriarchs--Ruth for devotion, Naomi for dignity--and then threw out a less biblical name and concept: “Golda Meir for assertiveness.” The 1,400 major Jewish women donors, (among them 13 Omahans: Thama Friedman, Lyra Ann Monasee, Nancy Noddle, Maxine Kirshenbaum, Anne Shackman, Ruth Erman, Sharee Newman, Susie Cohn, Marcia Cohen, Roz Friedman, Jan Goldstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation; Janie First Lady Laura Bush, left, and Teresa Heinz Kerry address Jewish women philanthropists Murow, Community at the UJC’s International Lion of Judah Conference in Washington. Credit: Robert A. Cumins Development Director, and Women’s Division Director Kathy McGauvran) packed achieve,” Carrie Rubin, a donor who spoke at the into the Washington Hilton on Oct. 17 for the United launch of the conference, said to wild applause. The frustration bubbled under a conference bursting Jewish Communities “Lion of Judah” conference, had been silent in shared prayer until that moment, but they with accomplishment: the biggest turnout ever for such an event, and the ability to draw speakers like First laughed in agreement. Stern, the UJC’s national philanthropy chairwoman, Lady Laura Bush and Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of preshad hit the nerve running under this gathering of idential candidate Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). The conference also featured top-level speakers assoJewish women donors: Despite strides in recent decades, Jewish women still have trouble making their ciated with security and foreign policy issues, areas once confined to male-dominated groups. voices heard. “Show the world what determined women can Continued on page 12

Women’s Event Filled with Music and Laughter

Inside

This Week: America Decides 2004 Klezmer Band Coming to Temple Israel: Page 3

Intrerviews with Congressional Candidates: Pages 8-9

by PENNY GOLD for Opera Omaha Opera Omaha will present a special “Opera Insights” event at the Jewish Community Center focusing on the life and music of Aaron Copland and to learn more about its second main stage production of the 20042005 Season, Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land. Jewish Educational and Library Services, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, and Opera Omaha will present Vivian Perlis, an expert on the life and music of Copland on Sunday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. The Tender Land, Copland’s only opera, will be performed at the Orpheum Theater Nov. 17, 19 and 21. It is a touching story of a Midwestern farm family set in the 1930s, and the coming of age of the teenage daughter, Laurie.

Vivian Perlis and composer Aaron Copland. Photo courtesy of V. Perlis. Known for his vibrant Americana music--including “Hoe-Down” from Rodeo, which became the beef industry’s commercial theme music--Aaron Copland was inspired to write The Tender Land after seeing a moving visual portrait of American farm families by photographer Walker Evans, entitled “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men.” A contemporary of Evans, Wright Morris, also captured the enduring spirit of the American farmer in his essays and photographs of rural Nebraska in the 1940s. Continued on page 15

M ET A Z

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by PAM MONSKY the United States,” he explained. “I’ve been in music all Federation Communications Director my life and I started out as a conductor for Phyllis “Pianist, vocalist, raconteur” are the words entertain- Diller’s shows. Then I went on to become the music er Marty Henne uses to describe himself and his per- director for Bob McGrath, better known as Bob from formances. Women in the Omaha Jewish community Sesame Street. But for the last seven years, I’ve been will have a chance to hear for themselves at the 2005 performing and I love it!” he said. Women’s Campaign event, Tuesday, Indeed, Henne truly interacts with the Nov. 16, 7 p.m., at Ironwood Golf and audience and those who have seen his Country Club, 12627 Pacific St. show say he has an uncanny ability to The Women’s event is free and open to make the audience feel like they’re sitwomen in the community who make a ting in his living room. gift in any amount to the 2005 “It’s true that I inject more fun and Federation Annual Campaign. A dessert more humor into my performances,” reception and CD sale and signing with continued Henne. “When I perform in Marty Henne will follow his performconcert, one of my great joys is being ance. able to share the wonderful stories about Henne is a veteran entertainer and has the writers and how their songs came Marty Henne performed for audiences in nightclubs about. They are often very funny and and country clubs, as well as aboard the most sophisti- always interesting.” cated cruise ships in the world, becoming a favorite Although Henne does not perform traditional Jewish among listeners who love good music and great enter- music, he says being Jewish “affects his work on a subtainment. In addition to the great music, Henne’s show conscious level. It’s also astounding how many songis also filled with stories and insights about the writers writers are Jews…there’s a great heritage of Jewish and the times they lived and worked in, all told with songwriters and I believe this imbues what I do with his unique humor, joy and warmth. His performances such an intelligence and culture,” mused Henne. have drawn comparisons to the shows of great enterAlthough Henne’s music has taken him to 111 countainers like Mel Torme and Michael Feinstein. tries and 45 states, he’s never been to Nebraska. Henne’s musical background is as varied as his per“When I met Ruth and Joe Erman (Ruth is the 2005 formances. In a recent interview, he talked about his Women’s Campaign Co-chair) this summer on the roots. “I come from a family of seven generations of cruise, they told me, ‘we’ll get you to Nebraska!’ I live Hassidic rabbis. All the men were rabbis up until my in Maryland now, but I’m originally from New York. grandfather who left Eastern Europe in 1917 to come to Continued on page 3

14 Cheshvan, 5765 October 29, 2004

Copland Expert in Omaha to Celebrate Composer’s Life

PIZ

Vol. LXXXIV No. 8 Omaha, NE

$1.8 $1.8million millionpledged pledgedto to The The2005 2005Jewish Jewish Federationof ofOmaha Omaha Federation AnnualCampaign! Campaign! Annual 224 224increased increasedgifts! gifts!

RAISE YOUR PLEDGE, SEND A PIZZA! Show your support and boost the morale of Israel Defense Forces troops! In honor of YOUR increased gift to the 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign, a private donor will sponsor the delivery of hot, kosher pizza to active-duty IDF soldiers with an acknowledgement from the Omaha Jewish community. Pizzas provided by a generous donor. Pledge increases will NOT be used to pay for the pizzas. The Federation is working through Pizza IDF (www.pizzaidf), a non-profit website that lets supporters send pizza to active duty soldiers on the front lines.

Coming Next Month: Hanukkah Gift Guide, Nov. 26 Monthly Calendar for November: Pages 10-11

Reaction to Knesset Vote on Disengagement: Page 20


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