Vol. LXXXIV No. 9 Omaha, NE
At Polling Stations Across U.S., Jews Cast Coveted Votes by JTA Staff PHILADELPHIA, (JTA)--In the leafy Philadelphia suburb of Bala Cynwyd, Amy Feldman stood in line, two young children clutching at her waist, ready to cast her vote for U.S. president. “I’m voting for George Bush because he’s stronger on Israel and that’s my No. 1 issue,” said the 35-year-old attorney Tuesday. But Feldman appeared to be a minority--not only among Jews interviewed at two polling stations in Montgomery County, PA, one of the Philadelphia suburban regions deemed critical to winning the coveted 21 electoral votes in this swing state, but among Jewish voters across the United States. Although Jews make up a small percentage of the overall U.S. vote, many of the states seen as crucial in the election--Florida and Ohio, as well as Pennsylvania--have significant Jewish populations. Both campaigns spent unprecedented resources to target Jewish voters. The president has made a concerted attempt to woo the Jewish vote, hoping to improve on the 19 percent he garnered against Al Gore in 2000. But despite his best efforts, Jews appeared once again to be overwhelmingly backing a Democrat, this time Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). For Efrat Aharonowich, a New Yorker in her mid-40s, deciding who to support was a tough call. “I was considering Bush because of his fondness for Israel, but I thought that overall, for the direction of this country, I had to vote for Kerry,” said Aharonowich, who has dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship. “On the one hand I want Bush for Israel, but on the other hand, as an American, I want Kerry to win. But if it is Bush, I think I’ll be happy.” But for lifelong Democrat Jack Lichtenstein, the choice was easy. “I didn’t need another Messiah. I didn’t need somebody who speaks to God to makes decisions about money,” said the 81-year-old resident of New York’s Upper West Side, who pulled the lever for Kerry on Tuesday.
Norma Fried, right, waits patiently in line at her voting precinct at Omaha’s Jewish Community Center. She avoided going at 8 a.m. when the polls opened because she knew the line would probably be out the doorway and into the lobby of the JCC. And it was. But she added, “I hope we’ll know the outcome before too long.” Bush’s strong belief in the role of religion in public life was only one of the issues that motivated many Jewish voters: the war in Iraq, Israel’s security and domestic concerns also ranked at the top of many voters’ priorities for the president. Several Jews interviewed said the future make-up of the U.S. Supreme Court was a factor in their decision. Bush is likely to be in the position to appoint some new justices to a court that has been virtually split on cases related to abortion rights and church-state separation, issues that many Jews care about. Continued on page 3
Inside
Celebrating 83 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
A New Building, a New Rabbi by CAROL KATZMAN Rick Katzman and Dr. Paul Shyken chaired the Editor of the Jewish Press Building Committee, working with owner’s representaIn 1978, Rabbi Isaac Nadoff, z”tl, asked Joe tive Cliff Levitan of CL Enterprises and overseeing Kirshenbaum, then President of Beth Israel Synagogue, designer Marty Shukert of RDG Planning and Design, to “take a little ride” with him. Driving more than eight and the Weitz Company, building contractors. In addimiles west of the 52nd and Seward St. location of the tion to introducing the honored guests of the evening, congregation, the two men stopped at a small country Katzman called on Rabbi Gross to recite the school, located on 126th and Pacific. “This,” Rabbi Shehecheeyanu and dedicate the new building, adding, Nadoff told Kirshenbaum, “is where we should build a “When Rabbi Gross was a young man (laughter from new synagogue.” And so, 26 years later, the congregants of Beth Israel finally realized that dream. In a ceremony late Sunday afternoon, the synagogue’s newest (and youngest) rabbi, Rabbi Jonathan Gross, recited the words of the Shehecheeyanu, to formally dedicate the new 18,000 square foot building. The building (which was only just repaired after a driver slammed into the corner of the front entrance on Oct. 15) opened its doors in February after a multi-year fundraising campaign. It features a fan-shaped sanctuary that seats 350, a chapel, social hall, meeting room, children’s nursery, offices, fullservice-kosher kitchen, and the possibility of expansion in the lower level. The sanctuary was nearly filled to capacity with family and friends who had come from New York, New Rabbi Jonathan Gross, newly installed spiritual leader of Beth Israel, is congratuJersey, Florida and California, former lated by his grandmothers, Gusti Blumenthal, left, of Kew Garden Hills, NY, and Beth Israel members from Arizona, Shirley Maza of New Jersey. Rabbi Gross says he followed in the footsteps of his Washington, D.C. and Texas, and well grandfather, the late Rabbi Yosef Maza. Other members the family who attended wishers from across Omaha’s Jewish included: Rabbi Gross’ parents--Sandy and David Gross from New Jersey; grandfather, Sidney Blumenthal; sister, Amy of New York City; brother-in-law Avi spectrum. “Only once in a lifetime does one Greenbaum of Boca Raton, FL; his aunts Rena Gelernter and DeeDee Honigsfeld; have the privilege--or the opportunity Sara Gross’ father, Ralph Kostant of Los Angeles and her sister, Elyce of New York --to be a meaningful part of building City. Unable to attend, but sending best wishes were Rabbi Gross’ sisters, Dr. Laura a new synagogue,” said Joe Greenbaum of Boca Raton and Nina Gross of Brooklyn; Sara Gross’ mother, Laura Kirshenbaum, chairman of the Kostant, and her sister and brother, Esther and Nathan Kostant, all of L.A. fundraising committee. “Another generation, over 50 the crowd); when he was a yeshiva student...last week years ago, made the original Beth Israel possible, and (more laughter), little did he know that one day he’d be now we have had this unique opportunity to do it for the Rav HaMachshir of Omaha, of Nebraska...of North the next generation. and South Dakota (more laughter), Wyoming, Montana “Our groundbreaking was two years ago,” and Idaho!” Kirshenbaum reminded the audience, gratefully Though Rabbi Gross is only 27-years-old, he was acknowledging the large initial gifts from Harold praised repeatedly by representatives of the Orthodox Cooperman, the Carl Frohm Foundation and Jerry Union, colleagues and teachers. In fact, during his Gordman and the Dan Gordman Fund. He noted that acceptance speech, following the elegant dinner, Rabbi “without their generosity, this building would not have Gross said, “My family and friends have come from far happened. But these three gifts, coupled with four oth- away to be here. Rabbis are saying nice things about ers from within our congregation raised 45% of our ini- me, and I’m getting gifts! tial goal.” “Do you feel like you’re at my Bar Mitzvah?” he asked Kirshenbaum says he was “gratified with the the crowd of more than 230 with a wide grin. response...from those who have never even been affilHe may be young, but one special guest, Sylvia iated with Beth Israel. In fact, knowing that we are still Kellerman studied with Rabbi Gross when he was a short of our ‘adjusted’ goal, I am still getting pledges rabbinic intern last year at Beth Jacob Synagogue in Los Continued on page 9 from non-members.”
Laughter Rules at the YJO Event by PAM MONSKY Federation Communications Director Last week’s Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) event featuring the stand up comedy of Joel Chasnoff attracted more than 150 Jewish Omahans, many of them ages 21-45. Chasnoff’s brand of Jewish humor kept the crowd laughing non-stop throughout his 50-minute routine, touching on the funnier side of the American Jewish experience including attending Yom Kippur services, surviving airport security and Jewish family life. Omaha “returnees” Laurie and Jason Epstein and Matt and Melissa Shapiro were four of the 100+ Young Jewish Omahans who made new friends and renewed old friendships. Continued on page 2
This Week: Teen Age Features OTYG: Page 11 Federation Embarks on Strategic Plan: Page 2
21 Cheshvan, 5765 November 5, 2004
Did Anti-Semitism Fuel Red Sox Curse? Page 3
Coming This Month: Hanukkah Gift Guide, Nov. 26 Yossi and Jagger at Film Festival: Page 5
Two Stories on birthright Israel and programs: Pages 6-7