November 7, 2008

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 9 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

9 Cheshvan, 5769

November 7, 2008

Federation young leaders to be recognized at special event this month

by LISA LIEB Federation Communications Director When Federation Executive Director Jan Goldstein thinks back to the 2003-04 Jewish Omaha Leadership Training class, she recalls an enthusiastic group of young people with tremendous potential.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m., the Jewish Federation will honor two of its graduates, presenting Dan Marburg with the Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award and Toba CohenDunning with the Lois Jeanne Schrager Young Leadership Award at Young Jewish Omaha’s Casino Night.

Throughout the years, Dan Marburg has been involved in numerous Jewish organizations. He served as a BBYO advisor, volunteered with Jewish Family Service Projects Dreidel and Tzedakah and various projects of the National Council of Jewish Women-Omaha Section, participated in the Super Sunday telethon for many years, and is a past vice president of the Henry Monsky B’nai B’rith Lodge. Dan's involvement in the general community has included such organizations as the Boys and Girls Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Neighborhood Citizen Patrol.

Many of Dan’s volunteer efforts have focused on Temple Israel, where his long list of activities include serving as a founding member of the synagogue’s Chavurah for young adults, past membership on the Youth Group Advisory

Toba Cohen Dunning and Dan Marburg will receive the Young Leadership Awards on Nov. 22.

Committee, co-chairing the Annual Golf President David Gilinsky says Dan is a Fundraiser for the past two years, and highly valued member of the Executive current member of the Board of Trustees. Committee.

Temple President Jon Meyers describes According to Dan, both Temple and Dan as thoughtful, enthusiastic and prag- the ADL have helped shape who he is matic, praising him as a leader who is pas- today. “These organizations are such sionate about the Jewish community. integral parts of our community, and it’s “Dan shows extraordinary compassion in important to make sure I give back as his leadership,” he said. “This will serve much as I take,” he said. him and our community well for years to Dan is an Account Executive at Grace come.”

Mayer. He and wife Deb are the parents For the Anti-Defamation League, Dan of two young boys, Elijah and Solomon. served as a 2005 delegate to its National Asked how he’s able to make time for volLeadership Conference, serves on its unteering within his busy schedule, he Board, and currently chairs the Financial points to a number of influences.

Development Committee. ADL Past One influence is his experience on the

It’s Obama!

In a historic election, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) becomes the first African-American to become President-elect of the United States, leading Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) by 62,765,000+ votes against McCain’s 55,613,000+ as of Wednesday (349 electoral college votes to 144). While the majority was hefty -- nearly 53% of voters went for Obama over McCain’s 46%, it is not considered a landslide; FDR, LBJ, Nixon and Ronald Reagan each won a minimum of 404 electoral votes (Reagan leads this list with 525-13 against Mondale in 1984). While the Dems picked up more seats in Congress, they did reach their goal of a veto-proof “super majority.” Credit: Obama for America/Creative Commons Continued on page 2

Inside Opinion Page see page 8

Federation’s 1998 Young Leadership Mission, which he describes as moving and motivating. But even more motivating to Dan has been the influence of his equally active wife. “Were it not for Deb I might not be doing any of this,” he confesses. “She encouraged me to get involved and supports me every step of the way.” Dan also credits his mom and dad noting that “my parents volunteer in another important way -- they are always willing to watch our kids so that we can meet our volunteer commitments.”

Dan has great pride in the community.

“Not only can we as Jews have a wonderful life in Omaha, but Omaha is a better community because of its Jews.” He hopes his sons will follow in their footsteps, and make volunteering an important part of their lives. “There is no better way for kids to see how important it is to give back to the community than for us to set the example,” he said.

Teaching the next generation the importance of giving back is a value Dan shares with fellow honoree Toba CohenDunning.

When daughter Eleanor turned three years old, Toba and husband Eric gave her a tzedakah box. Each year Toba brings Eleanor to the Federation to empty her tzedakah box, so she can see that her gift will help those who need it most. Now seven years old, Eleanor has been the Federation’s youngest donor for Continued on page 2

AIPAC’s Howard Kohr cautions: “Don’t forget Iran!”

by GARY JAVITCH a stronger Hezbollah in Special to the Jewish Press Lebanon and an The setting: One week ensconced Hamas in before the national elecGaza looking to take over tion, the American Israel the West Bank in Israel.

Public Affairs Committee He added that the (AIPAC) held its national Southern Hemisphere summit in Chicago, its proposed a challenge for largest ever. Top speakers US leadership, too, and like Mayor Cory Booker noted the implications of of Newark and Sen. the Russian invasion.

Hillary Clinton (D-NY) To all that Howard more than once garnered said, “And today the greatest economic crisis standing ovations by their in 70 years overlays these presence and by their issues. words of support for the “With all these chalAmerican-Israel relationSen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) addresses AIPAC in Chicago. lenges, there is still one ship.

But it was AIPAC’s own Howard Kohr, the organiza- item that will be first on a presidential agenda that I tion’s executive director, who focused and roused the haven’t even mentioned and that is Iran.” He went on faithful, bringing them to their feet by calling for action to explain that a defiant Iran was continuing the process on what he considers the most important challenge to enrich uranium. “The reprocessed material they posahead for America’s new president and congress and sess is nearly enough to create a nuclear weapon,” he especially for AIPAC members: Iran. warned.

“Iran, he continued, “is making it more difficult to Kohr began his remarks simply enough by noting that we were in difficult times. He proceeded to outline the achieve agreement in Iraq.” He also noted that Iran is challenges our new leadership in the White House and continuing to fund Hamas and Hezbollah.

Congress would face, listing specifically the two hot wars “To make progress in the Middle East, we have to deal we were currently fighting. He brought up the issue of with the Iranian problem. A nuclear Iran will create even Pakistan, their fragile government, and the possibility more problems. “This is our call to action,” he that it would turn into a failed state. He then mentioned Continued on page 2

This Week: Eisenstatts leave legacy: Page 6 See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’

Special salute to our veterans: Page 3

Coming This Month: Tax and Financial Planning on Nov. 27 Former Palestinian Christian returns for Mideast update: Page 7

The mystery of the “glass box”: Page 12

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 7, 2008

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“Don’t forget Iran!”

Continued from page 1 exclaimed. “A nuclear Iran will transform the region.

We need a sense of urgency!”

The Sunnis will become afraid of the Iranian Shia.

They will want nuclear weapons of their own. A nuclear Iran will foster a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Moreover, he explained that Iran is not waiting for us.

While Washington is preoccupied with internal problems, the government is not concentrating on Iran.

Meanwhile Iran is still continuing to enrich uranium.

Our Job Kohr estimated that after the elections, the government will have 60-80 new House members and maybe 10-12 new senators. “But AIPAC will be ready,” Howard assured us. “We have been developing relationships with all the current legislators and the candidates.

We have position papers on Israel from most of them.

“In the new budget we will be pushing for $2.7 billion in military assistance,” he noted. “But to get this done, Israel still needs our assistance, and our success depends on an active concerned involved membership,” he cautioned.

the moment to pressure congress for stronger sanctions and get our allies to help us. The situation for American will become difficult. The future of the American-Israel relationship, our mission and our destiny is up to us.”

Other Activities “The opening session also featured an address from Israeli President Shimon Peres, via satellite. More than one dozen bipartisan members of Congress from across the Midwest spoke to delegates during the first evening's Gala Dinner, where they were honored for their work on behalf of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship,” according to AIPAC. The summit also featured briefings by top foreign policy advisors to both presidential campaigns -- Dr. Susan Rice for the Obama campaign and Ambassador Richard Williamson for the McCain campaign. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke of his commitment to protecting Israel's security. Famed human rights activist Natan Sharansky and long-time Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley closed out the 2008 AIPAC National Summit.

Besides this writer, attendees from (and formerly from) Omaha included E.R. “Bob” and Phyllis Newman

Cory Booker, mayor of the City of Newark (NJ) was one of the featured speakers at the AIPAC summit in Chicago last

month. Right: Mark Javitch, left, and Gary Javitch meet a delegate from Miami, Larry Hellring.

“The timetable of Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons is not dependent on our timetable of elections. We cannot lose sight of dangers outside our American borders. We must continue to put pressure on the Iranian regime.”

Concluding to a standing ovation, Kohr said, “This is

(Omaha), his son and daughter-in-law Max and Nicole Newman (Indiana), Rachel Javitch (Chicago), Jennifer Javitch (Minneapolis), Mark Javitch and Karen Javitch (Omaha).

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Federation young leaders FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 BBYO Young Leadership Development in Kansas City, Nov. 7-9 Visions Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

C L I P

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 JCC Basketball Parents Meeting BESTT Pre-Kindergarten and 6th grade Family Education Program, 10 a.m.; Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon at Beth El Teen Class with Rabbi Gross, and Sisterhood Donor, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Mishpacha Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad IHE Kristallnacht Program, 5 p.m.

Bedtime Storytime for Kids, 6 p.m. at Chabad

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 Kabbalistic Insights for Women, noon at Chabad Yitzhak Rabin Commemoration Ceremony, 2 p.m. & Judaism 102, 6:30 p.m.

Tattoos and Jews, 7 p.m. at Beth El S Jewish Learning Institute, 7 p.m. at Chabad Derech Torah: Judaism 101, 8 p.m.

A V E Veterans Day

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Parsha, Prayer, and Prophets, 9:15 a.m. at Chabad Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m.

BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Lt. Irving Cohen Profiles in Jewish Courage Essay Contest Awards Program, 6 p.m.

Women of the Bible Class, 7 p.m.

JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

C L I P & S A V E

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Spice and Spirit Cooking Club, 9:30 a.m. at Chabad WRJ Luncheon, noon at Temple Israel BESTT High School Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El OTYG Board Meeting, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Introduction to Cantillation, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Update on Israel with Charles Mikhail, 7:30 p.m.

C THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 L NCSY Fall Conclave I Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel P Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Visions Joslyn Museum Tour & Lunch, 11 a.m.

Jewish Ideals and Ethics, noon at Beth El

C L I P

& CJE Board Meeting, noon

&

Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

S Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club for Kids, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad A ADL Facilitator Training for PEW, 5:30 p.m.

V Executive Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Friedel E JFS Grief Support Program, 7 p.m.

Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. Friedel Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

S A V E

All events held at the JCC unless otherwise indicated.The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of events.To keep calendar accurate or for questions, call Marlene Hert at 334-6437.

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING,VISIT THE FEDERATION’S WEBSITE: www.JewishOmaha.org (click on calendar)

This Space For Rent Call Allan Handleman 334-6451

Continued from page 1 the past four years. Soon Eleanor will help teach her new brother Teddy about the importance of tzedakah.

Like Eleanor, Toba first learned about giving from her parents’ good example. Her father held Beth Israel and the Federation as two of his highest priorities, and he also volunteered with Amit women’s oganization. Her mother’s passions were Hadassah and Beth Israel’s Talmud Torah library, and she has always been extremely active in the political arena. “My parents taught my brother Michael and me the importance of tikkun olam, which was defined for us as helping the world be a better place,” she said.

Toba is grateful to have crossed paths with two other people who have been role models in her life. One of her fondest memories is of former neighbor Shirley Goldstein and her efforts to help Soviet Jews. “It was very powerful meeting the families who came to Omaha from the FSU, and an experience I won’t ever forget.”

When Toba was Director of Development for Boys Town National Research Hospital several years ago, she teamed up with another person she greatly admires. Jean Duitch and Toba worked together to bring the Jewish Genetic Testing Project to Omaha. “Jean played a very special role in this educational effort,” she said.

Like Dan, Toba juggles volunteerism with parenthood and her job as Associate Director of the Omaha Public Schools Foundation. Sharing her mother’s passion for politics, Toba’s first job out of college was in Nebraska Sen. Jim Exon’s Washington D.C. office, followed by a local position for Sen. Bob Kerrey. And while her career has changed course, she often volunteers for political causes.

Outside of politics, Toba co-founded the Omaha Venture Philanthropy Group. She has served on the board of the Urban Areas Health Education Centers, and participated on the South Omaha Community Care Council. Last year, she was appointed to the city’s Cable Television Access Advisory Board.

Within the Jewish community, Toba has been a big asset to Beth Israel. She participates on the investment committee, is Sisterhood Past President, and has served as board secretary and vice president. “Toba’s work for the Jewish community is so admirable,” said executive

director Beth Cohen. “In addition to her significant leadership roles, she often steps up to take the lead in smaller tasks that are so important to the functioning of an organization.”

Toba is a former board member of the Federation and current vice president of the Center for Jewish Education, a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and chairs the Outreach and Yom HaShoah commemoration committees.

“Toba approaches her work with professionalism and enthusiasm,” said Federation assistant director Julee Katzman. “We look forward to benefiting from her love of the Jewish people for years to come.”

Casino Night and Young Leadership awards at Ironwood Country Club is open to the public.

Reservations are due by Nov. 14 to Carin Riekes Parcel at 334.6429 or cparcel@jewishomaha.org. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door).

It’s Obama Continued from page 1 In Nebraska races, Nancy Jacobson was the high vote getter, winning a seat on Omaha’s new Learning Community Coordinating Council from Ward #1 with 5956 votes; Marc Kraft in District 5 of the Douglas County commission won his race with 12,286, unseating incumbent Chip Maxwell. Former Governor and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns handily won over newcomer Scott Kleeb for the Senate seat vacated by Chuck Hagel. All of Nebraska’s incumbent congreeman are headed back to Washington, though Rep. Lee Terry’s margin of victory over Democratic challenger Jim Esch was less than in 2004. In other races around the country with Jewish candidates: Jewish senators up for re-election Sen. Carl Levin in MI and Sen. Frank Lautenberg in NJ won easily, however, Sen. Norm Coleman only has a 572-vote lead against another Jew, former SNL comedian Al Franken; that may trigger a recount. Rep. Eric Cantor, the only Jewish Republican in the House won re-election; his is a name frequently mentioned for national office.

Additional coverage of races involving Jewish members of Congress will be in next week’s Jewish Press.

November 7, 2008

Senator Nelson invited to Temple to discuss Mideast peace

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator U.S. Senator Ben Nelson will be the guest of Temple Israel at an hour-long conversation on Sunday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. First elected to office in 2000, Nelson, a Democrat, will discuss the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, concerns about Iran, and the Middle East peace process.

The second half hour of his visit will be a question-and-answer session.

Nelson served two terms as governor of Nebraska before running for the U.S. Senate in 1996 when he was defeated by Senator Chuck Hagel in a political upset.

In 2000, Nelson won in a close election.

He is now the leading conservative Democrat in the Senate and easily won reelection in 2006.

Having traveled to Iraq four times, Senator Nelson believed a transition of the mission was necessary in Iraq as

opposed to a full withdrawal of troops. In July 2007, he co-sponsored legislation to transition U.S. troops out of Baghdad provided the United States secures the borders, protects the infrastructure, and continues to search for al-Qaeda forces.

He also co-sponsored a law requiring Iraq to spend more of its own money to rebuild infrastructure destroyed in the war.

Senator Nelson has also visited Afghanistan three times and Israel several times. He believes Iran is hindering peace efforts in the Middle East. On a visit to Sderot in the summer, he couldn’t miss pockmarks left by rockets which Nelson says are supplied by Iran. “The common denominator for all of the terrorist activities and mischief in the area is Iran,” he reported on a Lincoln television station.

Everyone in the community is welcome to attend.

Kripke Library announces major acquisition

by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Kripke Jewish Federation has announced a major acquisition to it’s collection, The YIVO Encyclopedia of Jewish in Eastern Europe, recently published by Yale University Press.

The encyclopedia is in two volumes totaling more than 2,400 hundred pages, amassed by 400 world renowned scholars, involving more than 1,800 subjects.

This is the first systematic attempt to represent the entire historical legacy of the Jewish people in Eastern Europe.

These volumes are a donation from the Dr. Bruce S. Bloom Memorial Endowment Fund. According to his twin brother, Dr. Bernard H. Bloom, formerly of Omaha and now of Dallas, Texas, “We are very proud to make this significant addition to the Kripke Library in Bruce’s

name.”

Before his death, Bruce and his wife, Arlene, traveled to Eastern Europe. He was so taken by its rich Jewish culture that had been so vibrant prior to the Holocaust, that he contemplated writing a book about it. “Bruce would have loved this resource,” said Steve Riekes, one of his best friends.

Recently the Los Angeles Times published a review of the set, “Anyone with an interest in culture, language, religion and politics will be fascinated by what’s between its covers; if your family comes from that part of the world, this is as close as you will ever come to truly possess your past.”

Anyone interested in the Memorial Fund may contact Marty Ricks at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 402.334.6440.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Community to host special Veterans Day program: “Is there faith in the foxhole?” are invited to participate and add their

by GARY JAVITCH

special to the Jewish Press thoughts. The theme will also explore the “It’s one of the holidays we just don’t feelings of and ideals of faith in a combat call enough attention to,” asserted Gary experience.

Retired army veteran Bernie Altsuler Katz, an organizer of the event.

“Today when our country is fighting recalled some of his thoughts during the two wars, we value the work of our armed second World War. “Well most of us went into WWII. Very few didforces more than ever. n’t get called. We saved That’s why we are the world at the time. holding a special When we went in, it Veterans Day program looked like we were going on the national holito lose the war. The Brits day, Tuesday, Nov. were having a real tough 11, 6-7:30 p.m., in time,” he said. the auditorium of the “My own experience was Jewish Community on an island off Center, followed by Mauritania, off New refreshments.”

Guinea in the Philippines.

The program has two I was a S/Sgt. with a P-38 significant features. fighter group; we escortDuring the 90-minute ed Bombers. The threat activity, prize winners of attack was always presof a special Lt. Irving ent. It was very hot and Cohen essay contest George Shafer sweaty all the time,” will read their awardwinning essays. The contest entrants Altsuler recalled.

George Shafer, 91, served stateside and described actions they admired by Jews who displayed extraordinary courage dur- agrees wholeheartedly. “I spent three and ing a time in their lives. Only 23 at the a half years in the Air Force. I had a pilot’s time of his death, Lt. Irving Cohen was a license and did some flying. On Council Bluffs native who died in combat September 6, 1942, I got married and during World War II when his plane was enlisted a week and a day later. The country needed us,” he said modestly. shot down.

The program is sponsored by the In addition, a panel discussion led by Lt. Col. Irv Harris and S/Sgt. Norman Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Center Lincoln will cover their recollections of for Jewish Education and B’nai B’rith their WW II service. Audience members Henry Monsky Lodge #3306.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 7, 2008

MARRIAGES OLESH/PRENDERGAST Mara Renee Olesh and Patrick James Prendergast were married Sept. 13, 2008 at Magnolia Hotel in Omaha.

The Honorable Judge Mark Ashford officiated the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Olesh. She received her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and works for Kiewit.

The Maid of Honor was Jennifer Friedman of Chicago. Bridesmaids were Heather Jagher of Chicago, sister of bride, Stephanie Olesh, sister of bride, and Emily Prendergast, sister of groom. Flowergirl was Zoe Jagher of Chicago, niece of bride.

The groom, son of Michael Predergast and the late Margaret Prendergast, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and also is employed by Kiewit.

Best man was Michael Prendergast, Jr. Groomsmen were Ryan Olesh of Manhattan, KS, brother of bride; Kevin McGovern, and Scott Steingraber of Lakeside, AZ, friends of the groom. Ring bearers were Michael and Caden Prendergast, nephews of the groom.

He is the grandson of Madeline Dineen.

Following a wedding trip to Maui and Oahu, Hawaii, the couple returned to their home in Phoenix, AZ.

BURHENN/MALASHOCK Michelle Leah Burhenn and Ryan Daniel Malashock, both of Lowell, AR, were married on Aug. 31, 2008, in Lawrence, KS. Rabbi Debbie Stiel officiated at the ceremony at South Park. A reception followed at The Eldridge Hotel.

The bride, daughter of Sheryl and Russell Burhenn, of Topeka, KS, graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. She is a designer and copy editor for The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas in Springdale, AR. She is the granddaughter of Darlene Anderson of Great Bend, KS, the late Floyd Anderson, Leah Burhenn of Hoisington, KS, and the late Vernon Burhenn.

The maid of honor was Marissa Stephenson of Brooklyn, NY. Bridesmaids were Shannon Burhenn of Topeka, and Erin Malashock of Kansas City, MO. The groom, son of Jody and Neal (Buzz) Malashock, graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. He is a sportswriter for The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas in Springdale, AR. He also is a sports columnist for the Omaha City Weekly. He is the grandson of Barbara and Stanley Malashock of Rancho Mirage, CA, and the late Esther and David Rice.

Best men were Eric Goodman of Powell, OH, Eric Hamburg, New York, and Chad Tettenborn of Omaha.

The couple plan a May 2009 honeymoon to Belize.

BIRTHS Overland Park, KS announce the Aug. 19 birth of their daughter, Livia Elise, named for her great-grandmother Etta Mehlinger.

She has a sister, Keely Alana.

Grandparents are Marti Rosen-Atherton and John Atherton, Debbie and Steve Heurtz of Lee’s Summit, MO, Rodney and Ruth Wright of Independence, MO, and the late Allan Forman. Great-grandparents are Malcolm Mehlinger of Encino, CA, the late Etta Mehlinger, and the late Bertha Pessen and David Forman.

Atarah and Avi Block of Passaic, NJ anounce the Oct. 10 birth of their daughter, Shayna Leah, named for her young relative who was murdered in the Holocaust.

She has a sister, Sarah Miryl.

Grandparents are Jack and Esther Malka Fettman and Yitzchak and Miriam Block. Great-grandparents are Debby Moscovitz and Cantor Leo and Annette Fettman.

Jennifer Forman-Wright and Brian Wright of

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving. For all ads, articles and photos, the deadline for the Nov. 28 Senior Living issue is Wednesday, November 19, 9 a.m.; the deadline for the Dec. 5 issue is Wednesday, Nov. 26, 9 a.m.

Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

A TRADITION OF

For home, holidays, gifts find great deals during Beth El’s Judaica shop sale

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator From brightly-colored dreidels and graceful hanukkiyot to unique Judaica items for all occasions, Beth El’s Judaica Shop is the one stop for every holiday need.

And, as a bonus for all lucky patrons, the shop will hold a special sale from Nov. 16-23; everyone in the Jewish community will want to take advantage of the unbeatable discounts. Everything in the shop will be at least 10 percent off: all solid-gold jewelry will be 30 percent off, and a variety of items will be up to 75 percent off.

Among the many artists whose works are exhibited at the shop include Gary Rosenthal, Tamara Baskin, IsArt, Ayala BarSale and Nambe. Sale hours are: Sunday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4- 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 19, 3- 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; regular gift shop hours are Sundays, 10 a.m. to noon (when BESTT classes are in session) and Wednesdays, 3-4:30 p.m.

Beth El Judaica Shop volunteers Caryn Rifkin, left, and Debbie Roitstein looked over the shop's inventory of Hanukkah menorahs before last year's Festival of Lights.

While browsing, be sure to take a look at the beautiful mezuzot, tallitot, Shabbat candlesticks, books and other distinctive offerings, and feel good in knowing that proceeds from each purchase go to support Beth El and the terrific programming and services offered to the congregation. “Over the years, proceeds from the shop have underwritten a variety of synagogue programs, benefited our religious school, made possible our congregation’s membership directory, and supported the synagogue in countless other ways,� said Judaica Shop chairman Caryn Rifkin. “We’ve got the goods and the Judaica experts -- volunteers and staff members -- to help you find the perfect gift -- stop in and take advantage of this great sale!�

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November 7, 2008

ORGANIZATIONS

LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Yiddish brings us closer to our roots! Come join us every Thursday, 1-3 p.m. in the social hall of the JCC. For information, call Anne Skolkin at 343.1638.

VISIONS Reminder: Join us at the Joslyn to view the Diego Rivera exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m., beginning with the docent led tour. Lunch, on your own, follows in the Joslyn Museum Café. Admission is $4. Joslyn members enter free (bring membership card). Send reservations by Nov. 7 to Doris Alloy, 11317 Harney Plz. Cir., Omaha, NE 68154. Check payable to Visions.

If you need a ride call Florence Hauss at 571.4583.

The concert by Arlene Richman originally scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16 has been cancelled.

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Former Omahan Lee White returns to Omaha to promote his new book, Government of the People, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. All men and women in the community are invited. The program is free. An optional buffet lunch is $13; beverage service only is $3.

For information or to get on the email list, contact Lois at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN Join us at our Fall Boutique, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2-4:30 p.m. at the home of Sue and Tom Weidner, 5219 Chicago St. For information, call Lori Schwarz, 502-6665.

JFS offers dialogue on personal loss

by OZZIE NOGG Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Services recently hosted a presentation by Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW, author of Mourning & Mitzvah: Walking the Mourner’s Path. Rabbi Brener, a Los Angeles-based Spiritual Director, psychotherapist, writer and teacher, discussed Transforming the Wilderness of Grief.

As a follow-up to Rabbi Brener’s appearance, two sessions designed to help participants process personal loss are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 11, 7-8:30 p.m. in the JCC Community Room.

Facilitators are Karen Gustafson, LMHP, Shelly Fox, MSW and Shane Kotok, CSW;MS. According to Gustafson, Director of Jewish Family Service, “These dialogues will benefit everyone who has experienced loss and is searching for a healing path guided by Jewish tradition. The sessions are free, and we invite the community to participate.”

To register your attendance, please call Jewish Family Service at 330.2024.

Shane Kotok, left, Rabbi Anne Brener, Shelly Fox and Karen Gustafson pictured at Rabbi Brener’s earlier presentation: “Transforming the Wilderness of Grief.”

Recently named WH editor visits Visions

by HOWARD SILBER As managing edior of The Omaha World-Herald, C. David Kotok selects the news articles to be published, decides where to place them in the newspaper and attends to a myriad of other details.

Kotok, the first member of the Omaha Jewish community to hold the managing editor position, told Visions members of his duties in a talk at a luncheon meeting of the seniors organization at the Venice Inn. David Kotok and his son, Steven.

As managing editor, Kotok is responsible for all news and features content in The World-Herald, which circulates statewide and is read by more than 500,000 people each day, with the exception of the editorial pages seven days a week.

Kotok, formerly chief political writer for the newspaper, also discussed the current election campaigns.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Beth El Sisterhood’s CONSTRUCTION, INC annual boutique promises PLUMBQuality Craftsmanship shopping, noshing, fun

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Sisterhood. The word evokes thoughts of solidarity, togetherness, dedication, caring. All of these adjectives describe Beth El’s Sisterhood organization, which for years has sponsored events and projects whose proceeds have benefited the synagogue in countless ways.

Each fall, Sisterhood volunteers bottle, package, and deliver honey to lucky recipients, sending wishes of a sweet new year; each Purim, they bake and sell hamantaschen. The group has made its mark through a number of significant gestures, such as underwriting the cost of holiday packages sent to college students, Beth El’s Community Seder, and youth programming including Tot Shabbat; in addition, the auxiliary has also subsidized salaries for the synagogue’s special-ed teachers and teen tutors. Sisterhood dollars have also supported such community-wide programming as the Women’s Seder, Project Tzedakah, as well as next year’s Karin Levine Healthy Living Expo.

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Top Picture: Taking a break during a morning of packaging Rosh Hashanah honey bottles, are (front row, from left), Sisterhood President Marcie Spivack with daughter Chaeli, Caryn Rifkin, Annie Rifkin and Wendy Berenson; (back row), Ann Goldstein, Helen Kay, Dayna Cohen, Karla Cohen and honey sales chairwoman M’Lee Hasslinger; Bottom Picture: Beth El’s social hall was bustling with activity during last year’s Sisterhood Boutique.

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Mavericks vs. Ferris State Up next: Sisterhood’s popular Boutique, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which promises an exciting day of shopping, noshing and fun for the entire community. Attendees will be treated to merchandise by an exciting variety of talented vendors offering wares such as baby quilts, personalized stationery, whimsical clocks, fused-glass art and jewelry, plus assorted home and clothing accessories, says Caryn Rifkin, who is chairing the event with M’Lee Hasslinger.

Along with shopping opportunities, an all-day raffle will be held, with prizes awarded every 15 minutes; and every appetite will be satisfied during the day, with breakfast provided by the USY youth group, a pizza and salad luncheon provided by Men’s Club, and a delicious bake sale.

Rifkin also noted that this year’s Boutique will feature a variety of children’s activities from 1-2 p.m., including arts and crafts and face painting. “There’s something for people of all ages, so stop by and join in the fun!” she encouraged.

Raffle tickets, going for 50 cents apiece, may be purchased the day of the event; they also may be obtained by sending a check -- payable to Beth El -- to “Boutique Raffle,” Beth El, 14506 California St., Omaha NE 68154, and the tickets will be held for the day of the program.

Sisterhood President Marcie Spivack, who just took the helm of the organization in June, said that not only is she looking forward to the day-long shopping extravaganza, but also to an exciting year of Sisterhood activities.

One of her goals, she shared, is to expand membership of the auxiliary. “We’re trying to usher in a younger group of ladies “to succeed those who came before, and put their own mark on our community.

“I would encourage all women of Beth El to join our Sisterhood, because we are fun-loving ladies who enjoy helping to create an environment for everyone to learn, grow, and participate in whatever capacity they are able to share.

“We welcome everyone’s help in furthering our mission of serving our members, synagogue and community -- all while having a great time.”

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 7, 2008

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Eisenstatt legacy ensures that campaign continues

by MARY BORT neys, and was involved with the American Bar for Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Association for over 40 years. He and a group of attorWhat does it mean to “give back to the community?� neys were instrumental in creating and developing the For many it may mean to volunteer or to make dona- role of paralegals to assist attorneys. “They developed tions to organizations that they support, which are won- the field of paralegals. It is similar to how there are nursderful ways to contribute to the community. For the late es who help doctors,� explained Machov.

Leo and Aileen Eisenstatt, who volunteered and con“My father’s biggest career success was when he was tributed to many causes, “giving back to the communi- asked to try a case before the Supreme Court,� said ty� also meant to leave a legacy to the Omaha Jewish Luttbeg. “He went to Washington to try the case. It was community with the establishment of the Leo and Aileen a great honor and he was thrilled to do it.�

Eisenstatt Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment/ Leo helped free the Nordhausen concentration camp Lion of Judah Endowment (PACE/LOJE) Fund. while serving in the 9th Infantry Division Signal Corps The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation grateful- during World War II, and was awarded a Bronze Star. ly acknowledges the Eisenstatts for their generosity in According to Luttbeg, “What the troops saw there establishing their fund. Their gift is the added to their motivation to second largest unrestricted donation to win the war.� the Federation Annual Campaign, which “Dad was also proud of may be used wherever there is the most what they did with the need.

Bridge of Remagen in The Eisenstatts’ original contribution Germany,� continued in 2001 created the Aileen Eisenstatt Luttbeg. “The bridge was Charitable Remainder Trust (CRAT). over the River Rhine. He Aileen was a careful investor who benewas one of the top officers; fited from the significant tax benefit genin 1945 they had to set up erated by the establishment of the and maintain wire communiCRAT, as well as the income payments cations over the bridge, provided during her lifetime. After braving perils under constant Aileen passed away in April of this year, fire. Dad received a citation the balance of the CRAT became the from Congress for what he Leo and Aileen Eisenstatt PACE/LOJE did.�

Fund.

A man who enjoyed wood“The more of these types of legacies working as a hobby, Leo crewe receive, the more it will help to susated a Hebrew clock, with tain our community,� said Foundation the hands moving counterAileen and Leo Eisenstatt Director Marty Ricks. “This is important clockwise. He often gave since we don’t know how extensive our future Jewish away his wood creations as gifts.

Federation of Omaha annual campaigns will perform.�

A woman who loved to entertain, Aileen focused on Anyone may endow an annual campaign gift and cre- raising her family and volunteering. “She was a wonderate a legacy that helps ensure the future health of the ful lady; very worldly; someone who really cared about Federation Annual Campaign. The assets given to estab- her kids,� noted Ricks. Aileen was devoted to Leo, carlish a PACE produce income that guarantees a fixed ing for him during his declining years. annual campaign gift in your name in perpetuity. A According to Luttbeg, Aileen was always on many LOJE represents a special opportunity for women to committees. “She was great at shopping and entertainendow a generous annual campaign gift of $5,000 or ing; she was very social,� said Luttbeg. “She was very more in perpetuity. A PACE or LOJE may be funded by involved with the National Council of Jewish Women a gift of cash or other assets, life insurance, a bequest or and co-chaired their style show. Mom was also very transfer of retirement assets. Another popular option is involved, for over thirty years, with the Clarkson to establish a CRAT, as did Leo and Aileen Eisenstatt.

Hospital Service League, serving as an officer and Married for 58 years, the Eisenstatts were quiet about Second Vice-President. She helped put on their style their significant financial contributions to the communi- show for many years. And she was involved with the ty. But they were also very visible in the community, Children’s Museum. Her favorite thing was chairing the belonging to many different Jewish and non-Jewish women’s division of the Federation. She brought Bess organizations in Omaha. Often they did groundbreaking Meyerson in to speak. Her forte was putting on the aucwork. For example, during the 1960’s, Leo worked on tion or gala.� opening up housing for all people in Omaha, belonging Machov echoed her sister’s description of their mothto Mayor James Dworak’s bi-racial committee on hous- er, noting, “Mom was President of the Brandeis ing. And, Aileen was the first Jewish person to serve on Chapter, a Jewish women’s group. She was always going the Aksarben Ball Committee. and doing. She was the one who would bring a cake to The Eisenstatts set a wonderful example for their two you if you were sick or had a baby.� daughters and their husbands, Gail and Steve Machov of The Eisenstatts loved to travel. “They loved life,� said Golden Valley, Minnesota and Linda and Steve Luttbeg Machov. “They weren’t bystanders. Whatever they did, of San Diego, California. “I know the Eisenstatts’ they did it at one hundred percent.� daughters and their husbands,� said Ricks. “You can tell Later in life, while dealing with serious illnesses, the how Leo and Aileen helped to teach their children about Eisenstatts were still giving back to the community. the importance of philanthropy. It shows by what their “Dad had Alzheimer’s,� stated Luttbeg. “He and nine children are doing in their respective communities. other family members participated in a study that the “Both of my parents were very involved in the Jewish National Institute for Health and the University of community,� noted Linda Luttbeg. “They told us it was Washington were doing. He wanted something good to important for Jewish people to support the Jewish com- come out of this horrible disease, to learn some more munity. They believed in this strongly and told us you about the disease.� have to stand up for what you believe in.�

Aileen also was functioning with a serious illness. “She Gail Machov concurred. “They instilled upon us the had Pick’s disease,� explained Luttbeg. “She was amazimportance of giving back. They ‘walked the talk.’ This ing how she was able to travel and do things.� was something they learned from their parents. Dad’s “She contributed to the campaign for the Blumkin parents owned a grocery store and if someone couldn’t Home on Dad’s behalf,� said Machov. “She did that afford their purchase, they let it go on credit. They while she was fighting for her life, and she made that helped out their neighbors in times of need. Mom’s decision.� grandparents were philanthropic and were instrumental In addition to the Leo and Aileen Eisenstatt in starting the Beth El Synagogue and Beth El PACE/LOJE Fund, the Eisenstatts established the Leo Cemetery. They also brought over lots of people from and Aileen Eisenstatt Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Europe.�

Federation Foundation. The fund provides scholarships Leo was born in Omaha. Aileen was born in New York for Jewish students from Omaha who are attending and adopted by an Omaha couple when she was an Creighton Law School. infant. They met at the wedding of Fran and Jerry Leo and Aileen Eisenstatt put their philanthropic phiMilder. “Mom made Dad promise to never leave losophy into action through the establishment of their Omaha, because she loved Omaha,� said Machov.

PACE/LOJE Fund, as well as with their scholarship Leo was a long-time attorney who served as president fund. Their wonderful legacy sets an example for of the Omaha Bar Association. He earned his undergrad- Omaha’s entire Jewish community. uate degree from the University of Nebraska and his law For more information about creating a PACE/LOJE degree from Creighton University. He spent several Fund or other ways to make a donation, please contact years with Kennedy, Holland, DeLacy and Svoboda the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation at before starting his own firm. Leo mentored many attor- 334.6439.

November 7, 2008

Meet the faces of Yachad

by ANDREA BARTMAN for Jewish Family Service This ongoing series focuses on individual Yachad members; who they are as individuals and what they gain from their involvement with the Yachad program. This is a chance for the community to discover a bit more about the members and why this group is such an Jill, holds her pet chinchilla Bamintegral part of the pro- Bam. gramming available at Jewish Family Service. All of these Yachad members are seeking greater involvement in their community and a chance to spread their wings beyond what they already accomplish every day.

Jill Sherman “A” is for artwork. It’s also for animals. These are the two great loves of Jill Sherman’s life. For much of our interview Jill and I discuss these two topics and how they shape her personality and her interests.

Jill is a tiny person with a huge personality. She says she’s frequently mistaken for being much younger than her 29 years. She lives at home with mom, Claudia, and father, Marc, and a host of animals that she cares for as if they were children. We begin by talking about her high school years at Burke, a topic she’s anxious to address and quickly leave behind. “I didn’t really like school,” she says in summary. Kids can be needlessly cruel to others, and that time in her life wasn’t fulfilling the way her personal pursuits are today.

She did carry one important part of her high school years forward to her adult life, her pet chinchilla, BamBam. This special friend was once an inhabitant of her biology classroom. Her teacher noticed Jill’s attentiveness and interest in this wild creature who was often tortured by other students. “He saw me come in after school and play with her and take care of her. He knew I loved her, so over summer vacation I took her home and tamed her down. When I brought her back, he said ‘If it’s all right with your parents, I’ll let you keep her.’”

Of course, Jill was ready and willing to be Bam-Bam’s full-time caregiver when her parents gave the OK. “I have three little critters living in my room,” she informs me. Along with Bam-Bam (who I got the privilege of meeting in person at the end of our interview), she has a ferret named Tucker and a parakeet, ‘Shecket,’ which she tells me means “quiet” in Hebrew. We share a laugh about how often the bird is actually quiet, which turns out to be mainly at night, with its cage covered completely! “I’ve taught him to say ‘Wake up Jill!’” she giggles.

Animals are most often the subject matter of her other great interest, her artwork. Jill describes an interest in art from an early age and she’s continued to develop it through the years. She currently takes private lessons from Omaha artist Debie Plog. When asked what type of art she likes best, she says, “I’ve worked with mediums such as: acrylic, oil, chalk drawing and others.” Besides animals, she enjoys drawing Disney characters and has attempted two self-portraits. She describes them as more challenging to her and it’s obvious that she’s her own worst critic. I look through some of her pieces with her and marvel at the amount of care and detail she’s included and the careful maintenance of these items throughout the years.

Besides her animals and her artwork, she obviously loves spending time with family and friends and finds many other outlets for her creativity, including reading, baking/cooking, making jewelry and creative writing. “I made a Jewish gingerbread house and that was so much fun,” she exclaims. We walk into the dining room and she shows me the house, carefully preserved, and points out the details she included throughout.

Jill attends Career Solutions, through the Ollie Webb Center. “We work on vocational and independent living skills there,” she comments. She currently walks her neighbor’s dog and pet-sits for extra money. She’s also previously attended Camp Kitaki as a Junior Counselor and expresses great enthusiasm for the opportunity to act as a camp counselor again in the future. She and her mother both express interest in Jill meeting friends her age and who share her faith.

She is extremely computer-literate and enjoys e-mailing friends and maintaining her MySpace profile. She and her mother are both thoughtfully aware that with the internet come predators looking to take advantage and that it’s best to keep her relationships and information sharing to those she knows personally.

Jill describes herself as “a little lazy” and as an avid reader who can get lost in Borders with a good book for extended periods of time. Her mother, Claudia, describes this as something they work on; Jill doesn’t have a great concept of the passage of time. Money is another challenge for her. She sometimes gets her money counting backwards. “I could never work as a cashier,” comments Jill. “I’m good with doing my checkbook, but I just have a hard time totaling it up.”

Lazy is not among the adjectives I would pick to describe Jill. Someone with this many interests and hobbies is keeping herself pretty busy. While she’s occupied with these personal pursuits, you still get the sense that she’s curious, studious and quite firmly committed to those things she feels strongly about.

If you have a family member interested in joining Yachad or you are interested in volunteering at any of our events, please call JFS at 330.2024.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Charles Mikhail returns to discuss Mideast conflict

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Director of Operations & Programming, Center for Jewish Education Dr. Moshe Gershovich and Charles Mikhail have known one another for many years. They agree on some things. They disagree on others.

Mikhail is an attorney. Gershovich is a professor of history. Mikhail is a Palestinian Christian, born in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Gershovich, a Jew, is a native Israeli. And they are close and long-time friends.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m., the Center for Jewish Education welcomes Mikhail back to the Jewish community when he will give a talk entitled “The Future of Israel and Palestine” in the Kripke Library.

“Charles offers a unique perspective on the course of the Palestinian conflict with Israel and ways to resolve it,” states Gershovich. “For anyone who cares for the future of Israel and who wishes to understand better the Palestinian perspective, this event is a must.”

Gershovich is an Professor of History at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Charles Mikhail, left, joins Dr. Guy Matalon, CJE director, and Dr. Moshe Gershovich of UNO at an Eye on Israel presentation last November.

Mikhail, a successful lawyer who resides in Mississippi, is a passionate observer of the contemporary history and current politics of the Middle East, particularly the unfolding of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Gershovich is hosting Mr. Mikhail’s visit to Omaha and Mikhail will also be speaking at UNO. Dr. Guy Matalon, Executive Director for the Center for Jewish Education is looking forward to the talk. “I met Charles several years ago and was impressed with his passion and understanding of the happenings in the Middle East.” Matalon continues, “He will definitely give a very interesting presentation.”

This event is open to the community, free of charge.

For more information, please call 334.6445. To be added to the email list for CJE event announcements, please email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 7, 2008

Let’s talk about something fun ... ...like the theme for next spring’s Passover issue! (Ha! And you thought this would be a wrap-up of Tuesday’s election. Nope -- by now, we all should know the winners, but, don’t worry; we’ll have plenty of time for opeds and JTA articles about their current and future plans and projects. And keep in mind that the Israelis will be holding their elections sometime in late January or early February.)

In this time of financial uncertainty and a new Congress and President taking office in a few months, the Board of Directors of the Jewish Press has come up with an uplifting theme for our April 3, 2009, Passover issue: “Group Therapy!”

And no, -- it’s not what you think.

We’ll be featuring the small, informal social groups that abound in our Jewish community -- from the “Bagel Bin Boys” who meet each Monday for lunch (and to solve the problems of the world!) to the many card soirees, mah jongg groups, poker clubs, bowling pals and others.

We want to know how each group formed, who has moved away or died, how they’ve stayed together and what they think -- not just of one another, but of the world around them.

What do they discuss -- their families, parents and in-laws? Our synagogues and local organizations? What about the Jewish Federation and its annual campaign? Or Israel and the Middle East? Do they talk politics and religious ritual -- or is that verboten? What about interfaith issues and their children’s romantic liaisons?

These are not just friendly card games, however; these groups are friends. That means they care for one another when there’s a crisis and they share one another’s simchas. These groups, sometimes even more than our institutions, are the backbone of our community.

Why? Because each member of these distinctly different gatherings knows there is a level of

trust among them not available anywhere else.

So in addition to the “fun” aspect of laughing together with friends, sharing stories and recipes, and depending on one another, these groups offer the rest of us a glimpse into a private world. We’ll all learn something here while enjoying a laugh or two. And isn’t that what we all need right now?

Our freelance writers are already contacting key members of many of these groups, but we’re sure there are more out there. If you play “Maj”, Pan, Shanghai, Poker or Bridge; if you bowl, lunch or dine with your favorite pals on a regular basis -- give us a call. We’ll try to assign a writer to each of your groups, but if we miss you, feel free to send us a group photo in your favorite activity (and remember to identify all the people in the photo and tell us what you’re doing, as well as where and when).

Remember: these are informal groups only; while those sponsored by synagogues, agencies and other Jewish organizations are vital to this community, they are not the focus of this issue.

We’ll only be profiling the groups that have no sponsor -- like the young men’s poker group or the

longstanding Pan groups. (And Lincolnites -we’d like to hear from you as well!)

The issue doesn’t publish until April 3, 2009, but we’ll need all stories and photos no later than the end of February -- and that’s less than four months away. If you need more information, or have a list of suggested names and contacts, call the Press at 402.334.6448, e-mail ckatzman@jewishomaha.org -- or drop by the Press office at 333 So. 132 St., on the campus of the Jewish Community Center.

So now that you’ve packed up your succah, put away the cookbooks from the fall Jewish holidays, start thinking about Passover -- no, no -- not the cleaning -- just our theme! Let us hear from you soon. Oh, and by the way -Thanksgiving is in three weeks -- and the first candle of Hanukkah is Sunday, Dec. 21. Time flies when you’re having fun!

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

by KENNETH STERN NEW YORK (JTA) -- During times of crisis Jews get nervous, and for good reason.

How many generations have learned the meaning of the word “scapegoat” the hard way?

Amid the current global financial meltdown, some have pointed out Jewish names in the news or hyped classical anti-Semitic tropes of “Jewish bankers.” How serious is the threat, and what should we be doing?

Some of the anti-Semitic charges first appeared on white supremacist and other hate Web sites. These are small in number, a few thousand from well over 100 million sites.

They blame “Zionist criminals” for most things that go wrong in the world, so should we be surprised they update their offensive material?

Anti-Semitic messages have increased on some Internet discussion groups, and this is disturbing. The good news, however, is that Internet companies such as Google and Yahoo have adopted terms of service to counter hate postings and are removing much of the material once they are alerted to it.

No American politician or media personality has blamed Jews for the financial crisis.

Obviously, to do so would be absurd. Many actors from every imaginable background had their hands in this meltdown. But while hardcore anti-Semitism has little correlation with rationality, we should derive comfort from past episodes when Jews have been alarmed during

There is the potential for antiSemitism to grow during difficult times. This is all the more possible in the age of the Internet ...

That this outrageous address came just a couple of weeks before the meltdown on Wall Street and in other global markets means it might resonate with some Arab and Muslim audiences. Not surprisingly, as the financial crisis deepened, Hamas took up the mantle, asserting that Jews are to blame.

There is the potential for anti-Semitism to grow during difficult times. This is all the more possible in the age of the Internet, a medium in which slanders and rumors are easily circulated and too easily believed. Indeed, a conspiratorial storyline already has appeared.

On Oct. 3, a Web site associated with the Holocaust-denying group The Barnes Review posted an article with a fake byline titled “The

Jewish Press Board Michael Sigmond, Vice President; Stan Mitchell, Secretary; Michael Siegel, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Immediate Past-chairman; Marc Brodkey; Andie Gordman; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Susan Lehr; Jamie Meyerson; Andy Ruback; Jim Simon; Nancy Skid; and Dorothy Spizman.

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Will the financial crisis encourage anti-Semitism? troubling times in which Jews were implicated. Attitudinal surveys regularly showed that concerns, while understandable, proved unwarranted.

Jews were not blamed for the 1973 Arab oil embargo, for example.

On the international stage, however, the ground is more fertile for serving up Jews as scapegoats. Fresh in our minds is last month's U.N. General Assembly speech

by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who delivered a classic anti-Semitic diatribe accusing “Zionists” of “dominating an important portion of the financial and monetary centers.”

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Voice of the White House.” Displayed next to another article from the Bloomberg news service, which described how Lehman Brothers lost $400 billion before it went bankrupt, the fake article asserted that the $400 billion was sent “frantically” to Israel and that “the senders are all Jewish.”

Other sites picked up the item as real, and as the London Jewish Chronicle reported, the allegation appeared in the comment section of the Independent newspaper’s website for eight hours before it was removed. It likely will reappear or circulate via e-mails for some time.

The story wasn’t as quick to emerge as the charge that Jews were told not to go to work on 9/11, which still is widely believed in many parts of the Arab and Muslim world. But it has the same element of alleging the uncovering of a “secret truth.”

Elsewhere in Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has emerged as a key venue to combat antiSemitism. The OSCE special representative for anti-Semitism, Gert Weisskirchen, has been raising the concern about increased antiSemitism related to the financial crisis, and the need for European leaders and institutions to be prepared to speak out.

No one knows whether the Lehman Brothers falsehood will have traction or become another on the long list of canards with a short and inconsequential life span. The “bright line” test will be how mainstream institutions around the world react in the days and weeks ahead: Will they condemn, ignore or endorse such hatred?

What they do, or don’t do, will be key.

Stern is the American Jewish Committee’s expert on anti-Semitism and extremism.

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November 7, 2008

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Page 9

Was he wrong about everything?

The next president should not repeat the Middle East mistakes of Bush or Clinton

BEHIND THE H EADLINES

by JONATHAN S. TOBIN

Has there ever been a lamer duck than George W. Bush? How he went from winning a clear majority of the 2004 popular vote to his current dismal showing is a topic that will fascinate historians in the future.

The answers will assuredly revolve around Hurricane Katrina, the war in Iraq, and the financial meltdown that has panicked Wall Street and made a Democratic victory this November all but certain. Yet, even as Bush gets swept into the proverbial dustbin of history, it would be a mistake to succumb to the temptation of viewing everything he did as wrong.

Bad For Israel?

But this is exactly the angle that has been adopted by the Democrats as they appear to be coasting to victory.

In the partisan debate for the Jewish vote, the Democrats argue that the Bush administration has been harmful to the Jewish state. This is despite the fact that most Jewish voters understood the administration to be quite friendly to Israel.

Part of this has to do with the stale debate about the decision to go to war in Iraq. There’s no question that the demise of Saddam Hussein and the weakening of Iraq helped Iran. Tehran’s nuclear potential now poses the No. 1 threat to both Israel and the region in general.

That’s a fair point, though it must be said almost no one in the pro-Israel community on either side of the aisle was unhappy about the fall of Saddam, given his history of attacks on Israel and support for terrorism. Iran’s growing strength is frightening, and the decision to invade Iraq must be considered to have contributed to it.

Yet, this line of reasoning fails to take into account that if Saddam had been allowed to stay in power, his menacing of the region would have continued and Iran’s nuclear program would still have grown to the existential threat that it is today.

Even more significant to the Democrats’ strategy to woo Jewish voters is the charge put forth during the current campaign that Bush’s decision to back away from Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy should also be considered a mistake.

They argue that Bush’s refusal to continue Bill Clinton’s hands-on engage-

ment with the faltering peace talks led to years of violence and the current impasse. This point, heralded by no less a personage than Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden, is not only an indictment of Bush’s place in history, but a chilling prescription for foreign policy in the next four years.

As such, it could not be more wrong.

Whatever else one may say about George W. Bush’s time in the White House, his negative view of Bill Clinton’s mad dash for a Nobel Peace Prize was spot-on. Clinton’s feckless advocacy for the Oslo process, even after it was clear that this scheme would lead to disaster, is spoken of today as a noble failure by his admirers.

In the partisan debate for the Jewish vote, the Democrats argue that the Bush administration has been harmful to the Jewish state.

This is despite the fact that most Jewish voters understood the administration to be quite friendly to Israel.

But the truth is, the Clinton administration was itself at fault for spending years coddling then-Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat. It was Clinton (who made Arafat his most-frequent foreign guest at the White House) and his foreign-policy team, including respected men like Dennis Ross (who is hoping to return to office next year), who indulged Arafat’s demands, and lied to both the public and Congress about the Palestinian’s ties to terror and unwillingness to abide by the peace accords that he, Arafat, had signed.

Clinton’s sponsorship of the July 2000 Camp David conference resulted in a sweeping Israeli peace proposal from then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak. The answer from Arafat was a decisive “no.”

His dismissal of Israel’s offer was topped a few months later by the launch of a Palestinian terror offensive that would take the lives of more than a thousand Israelis and far more Palestinians.

The idea that Bush could have prevented this war or lessened its impact is ridiculous, since it started on Clinton’s watch, not his. More to the point, it was Bush, acting against the advice of Secretary of State Colin Powell, whose actions directly contributed to squelching the intifada.

In 2002, as the violence grew in inten-

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sity, Bush broke with precedent by refusing to stick to the Clintonesque policy of urging “restraint on both sides.” Despite Powell’s objections, Bush gave Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon a “green light” to send in the Israel Defense Force to clean out Arafat’s terror bases in the West Bank. He also backed the building of the separation fence that effectively ended the suicide-bombing campaign.

Just as in 2006, when Bush supported the failed effort to fight back against the Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, the administration understood that being evenhanded about the response to terror was a diplomatic code phrase for stopping Israel from defending itself.

What’s more, after Israel’s capture of a ship filled with Iranian arms sent to assist the Palestinian attacks, Bush finally did what his predecessor would not. He rightly branded Arafat as an unrepentant terrorist, and cut off American aid and diplomatic contact with him. Bush then went on to state that peace could only come once the Palestinians rejected terror and the leadership of those who support terror.

Was that a mistake? Can anyone really believe that continuing Clinton’s urging for more concessions to Arafat would have brought peace?

Learn The Lessons Of course, Bush did make some serious mistakes after cutting off Arafat.

Following the old terrorist’s death, his wholehearted embrace of Mahmoud Abbas led him to repeat some of Clinton’s errors.

Abbas, Arafat’s longtime aide, looked more respectable, but was no better than his mentor and was powerless, to boot.

Bush’s decision to push Abbas to allow elections that were then won by Hamas was another blunder. And, in the last year of his presidency, Bush has abandoned Middle East policy to Powell’s successor Condoleezza Rice, who seems determined to re-enact the follies of Clinton’s final year in office.

Though Democrats now claim the 2007 Annapolis conference, which Rice and Bush hosted, was too little, too late, it was just as foolish as Clinton’s Camp David debacle. All it accomplished was to ratchet up the pressure on Israel again, while doing nothing to force the Palestinians to face reality and make peace.

As Israel prepares to elect new leadership and faces apocalyptic threats from Iran, with no assurance that the international community will act responsibly, the next president must avoid falling into the trap of believing that every Bush prece-

dent is to be overturned.

It isn’t really important whether Bush gets credit for doing the right thing about Arafat and backing Sharon’s tough policies, which defeated Palestinian terror.

What is important is to learn the lessons not only from Bush’s mistakes, but also from those of his predecessor.

If the next administration is staffed by people who embrace the Clinton Administration’s delusions about Palestinian intentions, then we can expect the same results that we got the last time: more bloodshed.

Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia. He can be reached via e-mail at: jtobin@jewishexponent.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor: Bravo -- “Jews and Politics” -- how wonderful! Brilliantly conceived, cogently executed -- one of the best New Year’s issues ever, (with) so much to read, all enjoyable.

Steve and Fran Rod West Orange, NJ To the Editor: Each year, as more Jews and their families move across the country seeking new jobs, or retire to new communities, and as more and more older Jews are passing away, we're becoming strangers to one another.

We sit next to someone at synagogue or temple on the High Holy Days, or we exercise beside someone at the JCC on weekends, and we wonder about his or her Jewish story. But we rarely, if ever, learn it. Our stories are being lost to a new generation of Jews.

I founded The Jewish Writing Project as a way of encouraging Jews to share and preserve their Jewish stories. You can visit The Jewish Writing Project website at: http://jewishwritingproject.wordpress.com.

Just imagine if Jews contributed stories or poems about experiences that might have made an impact on them as Jews, or shared memories of holidays, or interviewed a person who might have influenced their understanding of Judaism.

With luck, the project will serve as an archive of Jewish stories, memories, poems, interviews, etc., bringing together Jews from all backgrounds, ages, and places, and shedding light on what it means for so many of us to be Jewish today.

Bruce Black Founder, The Jewish Writing Project

Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

October 31, 2008

Candlelighting Friday, November 7, 4:54 p.m

Synagogue Listings B’nai Israel Synagogue 618 Mynster St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

Beth El Synagogue Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Omaha, NE 68154-1980 492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org

Beth Israel Synagogue Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific St. Omaha, NE. 68154 556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

Chabad House An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 S. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68144-1646 330.1800 www.OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 S. 20th St. Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 435.8004 southstreettemple.org

Offutt Air Force Base SAC Memorial Chapel 301 Lincoln Highway Offutt AFB, NE 68113 294.6244

Rose Blumkin Jewish Home 323 S. 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 7023 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68132-2651 556.6536 templeisrael-ne.org

The Neighborhood Minyan 1317 No. 57 St. Omaha, NE 68132 551.6609

Tifereth Israel Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org

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Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451 or Robyn Belgrade 402.334.6559

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Services conducted by Rabbi Mordechai Levin and Cantor Beth Schlossberg.

FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Susi and Mark Stein in honor of their son Matthew becoming a Bar Mitzvah; Minha/Ma’ariv, 5 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: 10 a.m., Bible Study Discussion Group; Navigating our Services with Joy led by Susi Frydman-Levin; and The Mitzvah Club, 11 a.m. also led by Susi Frydman-Levin; from 11 a.m.noon, students will learn to chant Torah and Haftarah, the accompanying blessings and basic t’filot of the Torah service in a weekly class taught by Cantor Schlossberg. Hebrew reading skills required. Cost is $36; open to the Jewish community. For information, contact the office.

BESTT: Sixth grade family education program, “Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah,” Sunday, 10 a.m. Students and parents will explore the impact this milestone will make.

TATTOOS & JEWS: led by UNMC medical ethicist Toby Schonfeld on Mondays, Nov. 10, and 24, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Rabbi Levin’s Jewish Ideals and Ethics for Everyday Living, noon.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Fri., 8:30 a.m-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross and Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:54 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. free babysitting, 9:30 a.m.; Children’s Classes, 9:45 a.m. with Torah Parade; Kiddush sponsored

by Marvin and Sandy Kohll in Honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Noah Isaiah Kohll and the Bat Mitzvah of Ariel Tiffany Kohll;

“Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” are one hour before Mincha; Mincha, 4:30 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:55 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 a.m.; Sisterhood’s Annual Donor, 10:30 a.m. for socializing, gift shop, vendors, and silent auction.

Brunch will be served at 11 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Mishnah Club for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, 3:45 p.m. at the Blumkin Home; Rabbi Mizrahi’s Weekly Halacha Class, 7:45 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Board of Commissioner’s meeting, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Women of the Torah class, 9:30 a.m.; Rabbi’s weekly class, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Snacks, 6 p.m.; Early Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Grades 1-2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple; LJCS Board Meeting, 12:30 p.m. at South Street Temple.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (LJCS grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS, Nov. 11 and 18, 7 p.m. Crafting the Vision: The Temple and its Role in our Lives, led by Rabbi Emanuel.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m.

CHABAD HOUSE Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Maamar class, 9 a.m.; Service, 9:30 a.m.; Youth Minyan, 10:30 a.m. MiniMensch title will be awarded; Kiddush lunch follows; join Rabbi Katzman from 12-1 p.m.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Mishpacha Mornings, 10:15 a.m.; Heading Somewhere, 10:30 a.m.; Bedtime Storytime, 6 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Services, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Kabbalistic Insights for Women, 12:15 p.m.; Soul Maps, Kabbalah to navigate your inner world, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY: W.O.W. Prayer, Prophets, and Prayer, 9:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: W.O.W. Cooking from around the world, 10 a.m. with cooking demostration and kosher lunch. RSVP to office @ochabad.com or call 330.1800.

THURSDAY: Jewish Thought, 12:45 p.m.; The Parsha Club for Level I beginners, ages 5-6; and Level II for ages 7-9, 3:40 p.m.

All events and programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Jim Polack and David Herzog.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m., led by Rabbi Eric Linder and Cantor Wendy Shermet.

D’var Torah given by Bob Cohen on “Kristallnacht”.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Ryan Hollst, son of Kerry and Mike Hollst, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: Teacher meeting, 9 a.m.; Grades Pre-K-6, 10 a.m.; Grade 2 visits Humane Society, 10 a.m.; Children’s Choir Rehearsal, noon and lunch provided for choir members and younger siblings.

TUESDAY: WRJ Luncheon, noon. Dr. Ken Cowan, UNMC Professor of Oncology and the Director of the Epply Cancer Center will share some of the latest developments in the prevention and treatment of cancers that affect women. Cost is $10 per person. Please RSVP to the Temple office, 556.6536.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.;

Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; OTYG Board meeting, 6 p.m.; Introduction to Cantil-lation, 6:30 p.m., ritual chanting of the Torah and other scrolls, led by Cantor Shermet. All are welcome; but please RSVP to the office or mkube@templeisraelomaha.co m.

THURSDAY: Adult Study with the Clergy with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Nov. 16, 10 a.m.: Sen. Ben Nelson will discuss the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, concerns about Iran, and the Middle East peace process.

TUESDAY, NOV. 18: Executive Board, 5:30 p.m.; Board of Trustees, 7 p.m.

TORAH ON WHEEL: Thursday, Nov. 20, Noon at Vann Realty Company, 10330 Regency Parkway Drive. Spend your lunch hour chewing over Jewish law and teachings with Rabbi Linder and Cantor Shermet. Lunch is $6. RSVP with the office or mkube@templeisraelomaha.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:54 p.m.

SATURDAY: Srvices, 9 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Nancy Coren, Lay Leader. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

MONDAY and THURSDAY: Minyan, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch and Talmud study.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Grades 1-2, 9:45 a.m.12:15 p.m. at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 10 a.m.noon at South Street Temple; LJCS Board Meeting, 12:30 p.m. at South Street Temple.

WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Knolls, 12:30 p.m. Contact Yale Gotsdiner at 423.7066; Hebrew classes (LJCS grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

B’NAI MITZVAH Ariel Philip Juster, son of Sara Juster and Sorin Juster, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Beth El. Ari is a seventh-grade student at Westside Middle School. He participates in the Excellence in Youth program and qualified for the Duke University Talent Identification Program. He swims competitively for Swim Omaha and was a 2008

Top 8 award winner. He is a member of the Westside Connection show choir and plays flute and piano.

His interests include playing football for the Jr. Warriors AllAmerican team, Ultimate Frisbee on his Wii, and skateboarding.

For his mitzvah project, Ari studied with Rabbi Meyer Kripke and will coordinate and lead a Kabbalat shabbat service at the Blumkin Home on Nov. 14.

He has two sisters, Caroline and Samantha.

Grandparents are Clara Juster of Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel, the late

Ariel Juster, Robin Jaffe of Overland Park, KS, and Dan Jaffe of Parkville, MO. He is the great-grandson of David Goldstein of Overland Park.

Caroline Janis Rockman, daughter of Stacey and Jonathan Rockman, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Temple Israel.

Caroline is an eighth-grade Outstanding Scholar student at Westside Middle School.

Her interests include art, track, dancing, and being with friends.

For her mitzvah project, Caroline spent a month in Israel helping kids at Kibbutz Regba school in the Western Galilee.

She has a brother, Oliver.

Grandparents are Jill and Mike Erman, the late Eileen Erman, Jack Rockman and the late Corinne Rockman.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

November 7, 2008

A fateful journey

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Lech Lecha The journey with which our Sidra opens (when Abraham heeded the call from God to “Get out” of his father’s house) turned out to be a fateful one. It resulted in a small and undistinguished land with a small and undistinguished people eventually leading the nations and peoples of the world to conscience, morality, justice, truth and liberty.

That may be a lot to swallow at first taste (or glance).

But when we follow it with what we now know of justice, truth and liberty, it was all there, ready to conquer mankind and the world.

It was not a long journey, in terms of miles covered between Ur, in the land of Mesopotamia (now known as Iraq) to the land which God promised Abraham and his descendants. But it was long in results and accomplishments. It led to the establishment of Israel, both Land and People. And this little land and little people, unknowingly and perhaps also unwillingly, exerted a massive influence on the law, morality, outlook and attitude of the world.

Notice that its influence was not by armed force. We are more or less suddenly taken to task by the force of words, mere words! Americans who are impressed by the power of our Constitution would do well to read the Bible first; its groundwork, unknown to Abraham, was already established.

In the Book that was to be our Sacred Text, there was already the undergirding of what Americans later called Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. But within was only (!) decency and fairness.

UNVEILING of the gravestone for the late Jack Stiss will be held this Sunday, Nov. 9, noon Beth Israel Cemetery, 78th and Crowne Point

To Submit Announcements to the Jewish Press: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return).

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Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

DEATHS ROZ ZOOB Roslyn “Roz” Zoob, died on Oct. 29 at the age of 84.

Services were held Oct. 31, at the Blumkin Home chapel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Seymour Zoob, who died in 2005, and with whom she worked in the family women’s retail clothing businesses for several decades.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Nora Zoob, and Michael and Ann Zoob of Lake Forest, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Greg Wadleigh of Madison, WI; grandchildren, Laurie, Amy, Jason, Valerie, Jon, Lindsay and Andrew; and five great-grandchildren Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or a charity of choice.

OLGA GARANUNER Olga Garanuner died at the age of 86. Graveside service was held Oct. 31 at Beth El Cemetery.

Born in Russia, she was a doctor for 35 years before moving to Omaha in 1994.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marina and Mike Sadofsky; granddaughter, Katya Kuzmima; and brother, Mark Garanuner.

PERSONALS I would like to thank my family and friends for their prayers and good wishes for my speedy recovery.

Sam Alloy Thank you to all my dear friends and relatives for all your donations, cards and kind wishes for my 90th birthday.

Jack Epstein

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Page 11

1439 So. 13th 341-2452

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

Communications Specialist The Jewish Federation of Omaha is seeking a Communications Specialist.

This is a 30-hour per week position with full-time employment benefits. The ideal candidate will be familiar with and have the ability to communicate the mission of The Jewish Federation of Omaha. Responsibilities include writing creative copy for a variety of marketing mediums including: website, press releases, articles, ads and direct mail.

This person will also create and implement email marketing campaigns; produce marketing materials, update and maintain the website, produce videos and assist in coordinating, scripting and photographing community events. The qualifications for this position include: • Superior written communication skills • Experience with Microsoft Office programs • Ability to interact with senior management and community leaders • Knowledge of marketing, advertising and graphic design • Experience with Quark, InDesign, Illustrator and PhotoShop a definite plus • Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred Interested candidates should submit their resume to Tina Story at tstory@jewishomaha.org or contact Tina at 334-6435.

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed Thursday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving. For all ads, articles and photos, the deadline for the Nov. 28 issue is Wednesday, Nov, 19, 9 a.m.; the deadline for the Dec. 5 issue is Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Questions? Call 402. 334.6448.

Cooking around the world goes to Mexico this month

by PATTI ADLER Chabad’s popular women’s cooking class this year has a theme of “Cooking around the World. Each month the hostesses prepare food from a specific country.This month’s class will feature the food of Mexico, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m., at the Chabad House and is open to all women in the community.

The event cost is $10 and includes a kosher Mexican lunch and a cooking demonstration. For babysitting, please let us know when you make your reservation.

RSVP by Nov. 10 by calling 330-1800 or emailing office@ochabad.com.

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New “Mishnah Club” and Weekly Class offered by Beth Israel

by MARY BORT for Beth Israel Synagogue Educational opportunities abound at Beth Israel Synagogue, featuring programs for children, teens and adults. And now Beth Israel introduces a new afterschool program, the Mishnah Club, for fourth, fifth and sixth graders. There is also a new weekly class for adults.

The Mishnah Club will be held on Tuesdays, 3:454:30 p.m. in the Blumkin Home Conference Room.

Led by Rabbi Yitzchak Mizrahi, the next class is Nov. 11. Kids in fourth, fifth and sixth grade are welcome to participate, joining Rabbi Mizrahi for fun, learning and snacks (which will be provided).

“I’m really excited to start interacting with the kids on an educational level,” said Mizrahi. “And, I hope we’ll have lots of bonding and fun times.” To sign up or for more information, contact Rabbi Mizrahi at 556.6288 or RabbiMizrahi@ OrthodoxOmaha.org.

There are plenty of other opportunities for kids of all ages to learn. There are a series of Shabbat children’s classes, beginning with the Torah Parade at 9:45 a.m. each Saturday morning, plus Tot Shabbat for two, three and four-year olds. Dr. Howard Gendelman leads “Greatest Jewish Stories” for children ages four through six. For children ages six to nine, Donald Gerber teaches Junior Congregation. Advanced Parshah, taught by Leon Shrago, is for youth ages 10 and up. And Dani Shrago teaches “Terrific Torah Topics” for girls ages 10 and up. On Sunday mornings, a teen class is held, led by

Rabbi Jonathan Gross.

Adults can attend a number of classes on Shabbat.

Rabbi Gross leads Parshah Study on Shabbat mornings at 10 a.m. On Shabbat afternoons, one hour before Minchah, there are two classes to choose from. “Guard Your Tongue” is a weekly small group learning program facilitated by Dani Shrago, while “The Great Midrash Class -- Advanced Analysis of Midrash Rabbah” is taught by Rabbi Gross. There is also Seuda Shlishit, ending Shabbat with with food, Torah and song.

A new weekly class, held on Tuesday evenings, will begin Nov. 11, 7:45 p.m., led by Rabbi Mizrahi. The topic will be “The Meaning of Suffering: Why Bad Things Happen.” Topics will change monthly. All adults are encouraged to attend the class.

“I look forward to exploring with everybody different relevant topics from a Jewish perspective,” added Mizrahi.

The popular “Women of the Torah” class continues to meet on Thursday mornings, 9:30 a.m., taught by Rabbi Gross. Newcomers are always welcome.

Rabbi Gross also holds his weekly Parshah class on Thursday evenings, 7:30 p.m. Upcoming topics include: “The First Jewish Legion: Avraham’s Military History” on Nov. 13, and “The House of Laban: The Origins of Our Mother Rivkah” on Nov. 20.

If you have questions about which classes are best suited for your child or for you, or if you want more information, please contact the office at 556.6288.

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POLICE OFFICER: The City of Chadron is accepting applications for Police Officer. For information and packet contact Lynn Hardman: City of Chadron, PO Box 390, Chadron, NE 69337-0390, 308-432-0505, or www.chadron-nebraska.com under City News link.

Deadline November 10, 2008. EOE. SEEKING NEW Sales Professionals. Basic financial solutions is recommended by the Nebraska Farmer to its subscribers. Work with farmers and ranchers. Business is better than ever! Opportunity for above average income. Send resume or email chrisgeyer@neb.rr.com.

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Page 12

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 7, 2008

The mystery of the glass box

by OZZIE NOGG Were Agatha Christie writing today, she might have Miss Marple -- that wily amateur sleuth -- put down her knitting needles and unravel the mystery of the large, white-washed and sparsely furnished space that greets visitors to the new Northwest Wing of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Dubbed the glass RBJH staff and construction crew gather in front of the new nurses’ box by RBJH staff, the station in the Glass Box. purpose of the area has aroused curiosity and sparked spirited speculation within the community.

Recent clues dropped by Mike Silverman, Blumkin Home executive director, and Tom Lindstrom, project superintendent, indicate that the glass box is part of Main Street, the eventual focal point of the Blumkin Home New Beginning. The area looks unassuming right now, Silverman said, but the final results will be a knockout.

Mystery solved.

Left: Mysterious shadows play on the walls of the Glass Box.

Schragers fund chapel construction at Temple cemetery

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN the grounds of the cemetery. “I had this Temple Israel Communications Coordinator idea (to build a chapel) several years ago,” “Charitable giving has been a high pri- Phil said. “I eventually decided the time ority for Phil and Terri Schrager for many was right.” He hired the architect and years,” noted Jon Meyers, president of had the plans drawn before presenting his Temple Israel’s Board of Trustees. “The idea to Temple Israel. Acknowledging Schragers have been among the leaders in that he likes creative projects that are his the area of major giving and fundraising.” own original concepts, Schrager believes Numerous projects connected with the Jewish Federation of Omaha including leading the Israel Emergency Campaign in response to the devastation caused by the Israel-Hezbollah War in 2006, Federation agencies, the Federation Foundation, and Temple Israel have been the fortunate Phil and Terri Schrager are funding the cost of a chapel being built on the recipients of the grounds of the Temple Israel cemetery.

Schragers’ generosity. there is “a definite need” for the chapel Most recently, the Schragers have especially if Temple eventually builds a decided to pay for the construction of a new synagogue much farther west than its chapel at the Temple Israel Cemetery at present location.

6412 No. 42 St. The architectural firm, Able to accommodate about 150 peoPurdy & Slack, designed the chapel which ple, the chapel, which is being built in the is expected to be completed next spring. northwest corner of the cemetery, will KSI Construction is the building contrac- provide easy access to grieving families as tor. well as to funeral directors. Additional In 1998, the Schragers financed the parking will be added at the lower west reconstruction of the entrance, the exten- side of the cemetery. sion of the driveway, and an addition to

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