November 14, 2008

Vol. LXXXVIII No. 10 Omaha, NE

Celebrating 88 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa

16 Cheshvan, 5769

November 14, 2008

Blumkin Home’s new kitchen is hot!

by OZZIE NOGG Let’s not mince words. Construction of the new kitchen at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is complete.

Cookware sits on shelves. Food is stacked in freezers and pantries. The onsite bakery ovens are ready to roll. In the view of Mike Aparo, RBJH Director of Food and Environmental Services, “The Blumkin kitchen is a gem.”

Aparo’s claim is well supported.

Located in what was the North nurses station, the Blumkin kitchen includes kosher food prep areas for both meat and milk meals, a flame broiler with smoker box, basement storerooms large enough to handle up to six months of cold and dry storage, a new elevator for easy access to supplies, an ice maker capable of producing 700 pounds of ice, and PVC pipes that move soda and other beverages straight from the basement storage room to the main floor beverage station.

Aparo, together with Laura Bair, Blumkin Home Food Service and Catering Manager, is currently putting new food service systems in place.

“Since we now have three dining rooms, we must adjust the timing of the staff,” Aparo explained. “The smaller dining rooms make the meal experience more intimate and enjoyable for the residents, and we want to be sure the cooks and wait staff can efficiently navigate between preparation, holding and serving food that is the right temperature, fresh and appealing.”

Mike Aparo admires one of the ovens in the new meat kitchen in the Blumkin Home.

The new kitchen will offer an expanded kosher menu to residents and also introduce Star Catering to the entire community. “In the past year, there has been increased demand for kosher catering,” Aparo said. “We’ve been asked to match

the high-end catering menus at the Hilton Hotel, but to make them kosher.”

According to Bair, the Blumkin kitchen already caters as many as six events each day. “We provide meals for various meetings in the Jewish Community Center, as

Economic crisis at top of congressional agenda

With Jerusalem on the precipice, mayoral election seen as crucial Jerusalem’s mayoral elecby DINA KRAFT tions was greeted with JERUSALEM (JTA) -relief by Israelis conIt sounds like the begincerned about the increasning of a joke: A rabbi, a ing Orthodox character Russian oligarch and a of the city. high-tech millionaire are Early exit polls Tuesday running for mayor of night showed Nir Barkat, Jerusalem. a city councilman and Except there’s no high-tech entrepreneur, punch line, just each of leading the fervently them offering up himself Orthodox candidate, as salvation for the halRabbi Meir Porush, by lowed capital’s many several percentage points. troubles.

The other viable candiMany Jerusalemites date in the race, Russianviewed this year’s municiIsraeli tycoon Arcadi pal elections, held on Gaydamak, appeared to Nov. 11, as a historic be headed for a distant turning point for a city third-place finish in the that is Israel’s poorest, single digits. still vulnerable to terrorist If Barkat’s lead holds, attacks and wracked by economic, political and Jerusalem mayoral candidate Nir Barkat cast his vote on Tuesday. his election would wrest religious divisions. At He was leading in the polls as of press time. Credit: Brian Hendler control of City Hall from stake, many say, is Jerusalem’s very character and future the hands of the fervently Orthodox.

While Jerusalem’s current mayor, the haredi Uri viability.

The election was “likely to be the most crucial local Lupolianski, is widely seen as sympathetic to secular conballot ever held in the modern history of the capital,” cerns, his would-be successor, Porush, is not thought to Calev Ben-David, a Jerusalem Post columnist and long- have the same sympathies.

Earlier this month, Porush told a fervently Orthodox time Jerusalemite, wrote recently.

The apparent victory of a secular businessman in Continued on page 2

Inside

This Week: Global disarray, Mideast challenges: Pages 4-5

See Front Page Stories & More at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press’ Opinion Page see page 12

Get ready for Thanksgiving Read It and Eat Page 8

well as Shabbat dinners and Shivah orders. We also sell kosher pizzas at the Child Development Center. Our new kitchen space, and the Star Catering menu, allows us to offer additional kosher meal options for synagogues, local Jewish organizations and private homes.”

To underscore the value of the ‘kosher component’ Aparo tells this story. “A few weeks ago, a couple toured the Blumkin Home for a relative who needed nursing care. The couple stayed for lunch. We were serving barbequed ribs that day. The visitors thought the meal was delicious and couldn’t believe they were eating kosher food.”

Bair is excited about welcoming residents to the bakery. “We’ll bake dinner rolls and challah together,” she explained.

“We plan to form a Residents’ Recipe Club one day, and put together a recipe book. ‘Home Cooking’ might be an appropriate title.”

From his office in the new kitchen, Aparo envisions improvements beyond those in the construction blueprint. “We hope to introduce restaurant style dining with extended hours so residents can come to breakfast and other meals at their leisure,” he said.

“Between our physical plant, our dedicated staff, and our commitment to our residents, there’s no doubt that the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home -- and its kitchen -- is a model for other nursing facilities around the country.”

More photos on page 2

by ERIC FINGERHUT WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The economic crisis that dominated the last couple months of the presidential campaign will be the major focus of Congress next year as well, say Jewish political insiders.

With a bolstered Democratic majority on Capitol Hill and a Democrat at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, that means measures to stimulate the economy and help out those impacted by the downturn. It also includes actions in areas that have a large impact on the U.S. economy, such as health care and energy.

John Adler of New Jersey, left, and Jared Polis of Colorado were two of the three new Jewish members of the House.

Alan Grayson of Florida, not pictured, is the third.

Credit: Adler for Congress/Towleroad/Creative Commons “Under a Democratic president, I expect to see policies more focused on supporting the middle class as well as society’s most vulnerable,” said Tom Kahn, staff director and chief counsel of the House Budget Committee.

Continued on page 3

Coming This Month: Tax and Financial Planning on Nov. 27 Review of new Holocaust books Page 11

Page 2

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 14, 2008

Jerusalem mayoral election seen as crucial Continued from page 1 crowd that “in another 15 years there will not be a secular mayor in any city in Israel.” His remarks, delivered in Yiddish at a yeshiva, were not intended for public consumption, but Porush was unaware that an Orthodox radio station was broadcasting his remarks live.

Porush’s spokesman acknowledged that the candidate, a veteran fixture of Israel’s Orthodox political scene and a seventh-generation Jerusalemite, is a proponent of Orthodox-only cities.

The apparent victory by Barkat, a self-made millionaire and venture capitalist and the youngest of the three candidates, returns Jerusalem’s mayoralty to secular leadership at a pivotal time for the Israeli capital. He made his fortune developing pioneering anti-virus software in the 1990s. A secular Jerusalemite, Barkat advocates reviving the city and its economy by focusing on tourism and making Jerusalem a world-class center for medicine and life sciences.

With one-third of its residents Orthodox and one-third Arab, Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city and its poorest. The city is wracked by political and religious divisions, and its young, secular population is dwindling due to a dearth of affordable real estate, limited job opportunities and what some decry as an increasingly Orthodox character.

During the campaign, many Jerusalemites pointed to the controversy surrounding a celebration in June marking the opening of a new bridge at the western entrance to the city as emblematic of the battle for Jerusalem’s soul. For these residents of Jerusalem, Barkat’s election is a welcome change from the five years of Lupolianski’s leadership.

Among the foremost concerns for Jewish Israelis is the hemorrhaging of Jerusalem’s Jewish population, particularly its middle class. These Israelis are being driven out of the city by high housing costs and scarce employment opportunities.

For secular residents, the growth of Jerusalem’s fervently Orthodox population is further cause for concern that the Orthodox will dominate the personality and priorities of the city.

Some observers argue that the neglect of eastern Jerusalem ensures that the capital may again be divided by an international border. Within the city’s Arab community, many warn that the gap in services leads to resentment that can be seen in the growing political and religious radicalization of Arab youth. Several times this year, relatively young Palestinians from eastern Jerusalem perpetrated terrorist attacks against Jews in Jerusalem, sometimes with deadly results.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights Tot Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Adult Education, 10 a.m.-noon; and Sisterhood Boutique, 10 a.m. at Beth El Teen Class with Rabbi Gross, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Mishpacha Morning, 10:15 a.m. at Chabad C Temple Israel JYG at Chalco Hills, 12:30 p.m.

L Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing, 1 p.m.

I Senior NCSY Bowling, 6:30 p.m.

Visions Concert, 7 p.m.

P MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17 & JSS Senior Luncheon, 9:30 a.m.

Jewish Book Club Meeting, 10:30 a.m.

S Kabbalistic Insights for Women, noon at Chabad A Judaism 102, 6:30 p.m.

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

Elias Khoury, a lawyer who represents Arab residents of Jerusalem on issues of property, building and residency rights, says the boycott of municipal elections by Jerusalem Arabs only hurts the community.

“Today the situation in East Jerusalem is ‘tohu va’vohu,’ “ he said, using the biblical term for chaos. “If we don’t participate in elections, we need an alternative to managing our lives.”

Porush, who advocated holding the federal government accountable on unfulfilled pledges to invest millions of dollars in Jerusalem, hoped to win the mayoralty by galvanizing the city’s powerful fervently Orthodox voting bloc. Orthodox residents make up 30 percent of the city’s Jewish population but comprised the majority of voters in the city’s last municipal election, helping usher in Lupoliansky, the city's first Orthodox mayor, in 2003.

Rounding out the field was Arcady Gaydamak, Israel’s flashiest political enigma, a billionaire who says he speaks for the people.

Gaydamak’s past includes an international arrest warrant for allegedly illicit arms dealing in Angola and paying out of his own pocket to house Israelis fleeing the rocket fire in the North during the 2006 Lebanon war.

“My goal and mission in life is to build the future of Jerusalem,” Barkat told a gathering of foreign journalists before outlining his plans, which include tapping international philanthropists and private-sector funds for support for Jerusalem.

Tuesday’s vote was marred by some irregularities.

Barkat voting slips apparently disappeared from some polling stations, and his website was victimized by hackers who redirected surfers to Porush’s site.

During the campaign, Barkat campaigned on a platform of investing in the city’s tourism-based economy and ensuring that Israel’s capital city remains majority Jewish.

“We have to build Jerusalem economically,” Barkat told JTA in an interview earlier this year. “Jerusalem has only 1.5 million tourists that come annually. We have more to offer than any city. We have to open Jerusalem up to the global tourism marketplace.”

While the turnout exceeded the last municipal elections, in 2003, the vast majority of Jerusalem Arabs stuck to their policy of refusing to participate in the city’s elections.

Tuesday also saw municipal elections in dozens of other cities and towns across Israel, from Tel Aviv to Sderot.

TA staff writer Uriel Heilman contributed to this article.

Blumkin Home’s new kitchen is hot!

C L I P & S A V E

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Parsha, Prayer, and Prophets, 9:15 a.m. at Chabad ADL/CRC Civil Rights Committee Meeting, noon Mah Jongg, 12:30 p.m.

BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Women of the Bible, 7 p.m.

ADL 2008 Youth Leadership Mission Meeting, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Jewish Book Month Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.

NJHS Board Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

Introduction to Cantillation, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel C BESTT Bible Quiz Review Session, 7 p.m. at Beth El L THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 I P Women of the Torah, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Ideals and Ethics, noon at Beth El & Temple Israel Torah on Wheels, noon School Directors’ Meeting, noon S Yiddish Group, 1 p.m.

A Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. at Kripke Library V Women’s Book Group, 1:15 p.m. at Beth El Parsha Club for Kids, 3:40 p.m. at Chabad E RBJH Family Night, 5:30 p.m.

Class with Rabbi Gross, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Israel 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 Robyn Belgrade 334-6559

C L I P & S A V E

Continued from page 1 Photos from top left: Joshua Gurock, RBJH Administrative Intern, joshes around in the freezer; a construction worker

checks out plumbing in the new on-site bakery; one of the new kitchen ranges; and the new milk kitchen waiting for use.

November 14, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 3

Economic crisis at top of agenda

Continued from page 1 The focus of the Jewish federation system will be on “dealing with the economic crisis,” said William Daroff, the United Jewish Communities’ vice president for public policy and director of the group’s Washington office.

Daroff noted that Jewish social service groups are being hit from “two different sides” by the downturn, with a decline both in charitable contributions and aid from cash-strapped state and local governments as well as an increase in the number of people in need of social services.

Chief among his organization’s goals will be to raise the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, which would increase the financial contribution of the federal government to state social service programs such as Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Program, or SCHIP. That would specifically benefit nursing homes that depend on reimbursement from Medicaid.

Such a hike is likely to be a part of any “economic enhancement” package offered

by Democrats, said a congressional insider who asked not to be named. Such a package could be offered during a lame-duck session later this month or after the new Congress convenes in January. It would also include an extension of unemployment insurance and funding for infrastructure projects.

Also likely to be on the federation system’s agenda, Daroff said, would be various initiatives to spur charitable donations. They include making permanent and expanding the amount of the IRA charitable rollover, which allows charitable donations of up to $100,000 from a regular or Roth IRA without it counting as taxable income through the end of next year, and adding a charitable deduction that taxpayers could take even if they don’t itemize their deductions.

Daroff said that with Democrats dominating the levers of power in Washington, his organization might take a different tack in promoting its proposals than it would with the GOP in control.

“With Republicans, you stress tax incentives and credits,” he said. With Democrats, “you’re more likely to stress social service programs.”

Daroff said, however, that just because Democrats have more of an affinity for such programs doesn’t mean it will be a slam dunk. Every Congress is different, he said, and it takes time to discover “where the levers of power are and which issues will most resonate.”

Rabbi David Saperstein, the director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, said his group would be working to expand SCHIP, perhaps to cover all children.

Saperstein and others said development of alternative energy sources and other vehicles to help the United States move toward energy independence also would be a priority for Jewish groups. The “economic enhancement” package Democrats are working on is expected to include incentives to create environmentally related “green jobs.”

With so much focus on the economy, it is unclear how much attention will be paid— by both the new president and Congress— to Obama’s campaign promise to continue a modified version of Bush’s faith-based initiative. Non-Orthodox Jewish groups opposed Bush’s faith-based effort, while Orthodox groups have been supportive.

Nathan Diament, the director of the Orthodox Union’s Institute of Public Affairs, said he believed that Democrats who objected to Bush’s version of providing funds to religiously infused social-service groups might be more receptive to a

pitch from someone of their own party.

But Marc Stern, the interim co-executive director of the American Jewish Congress, said Obama’s pledge to not allow recipients of government funds to discriminate in hiring will bring objections from religious groups that supported Bush’s initiative.

Also a possibility is legislation to permit embryonic stem-cell research, which was backed by all corners of the Jewish community and passed easily in the last Congress but vetoed by Bush. Obama supports the bill.

Efforts to roll back Bush administration restrictions on funding for contraception and its promotion of abstinence-based sex education programs could also be taken up by the 111th Congress.

As for Israel, one congressional insider said that compared to 2006, when the Democratic takeover of Congress ushered

in new committee chairmen throughout the House and Senate, Tuesday’s election won’t bring much change to Capitol Hill.

And with an election in Israel on the horizon as well, the insider said it would be premature to speculate on any new initiatives from Congress or the new administration.

The Jewish community is likely to continue to keep attention on the threat to Iran. Legislation that Obama sponsored earlier this year that would make it easier for companies and pension plans to divest holdings from the Islamic Republic was blocked by Republicans in the final weeks of the campaign but now is a possibility.

The upcoming fiscal year will be the second in the 10-year, $30 billion military aid package to Israel approved by Congress, and no change is expected.

Obama expressed support for the plan in his speech to AIPAC earlier this year.

The Chosen: Jewish members in the 111th U.S. Congress NEW YORK (JTA) -- The following is a list of the 44 Jewish members -- 13 senators and 31 representatives -- who will serve in the 111th U.S. Congress that convenes in January: U.S. SENATE: Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.); Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.); Norm Coleman (RMinn.)**; Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.); Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.); Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.); Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)**; Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.); Carl Levin (D-Mich.)**; Bernard Sanders (IVt.); Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.); Arlen Specter (R-Pa.); Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.); John Adler (D-N.J.)*; Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.); Howard Berman (D-Calif.); Eric Cantor (R-Va.); Stephen Cohen (D-Tenn.); Susan Davis (D-Calif.); Rahm Emanuel*** (D-Ill.); Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.); Bob Filner (D-Calif.); Barney Frank (D-Mass.); Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.); Alan Grayson (D-Fla.): Jane Harman (DCalif.); Paul Hodes (D-N.H.); Steve Israel (D-N.Y.); Steve Kagen (D-Wisc.); Ron Klein (D-Fla.); Sander Levin (D-Mich.); Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.); Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.); Jared Polis (D-Colo.)*; Steve Rothman (D-N.J.); Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.); Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.); Adam Schiff (DCalif.); Brad Sherman (D-Calif.); Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.); Henry Waxman (D-Calif.); Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.); Robert Wexler (D-Fla.); John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) *Elected to Congress for the first time; **Senators who were re-elected (Coleman defeated Democratic challenger Al Franken in Minnesota by 571 votes, but a recount is expected.

Franken also is Jewish, leaving 13 Jewish senators regardless of who emerges as the win ner);*** Rahm Emanuel has accepted President-elect Obama’s offer to be his Chief of Staff; his successor has yet to be named.

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Page 4

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 14, 2008

Obama faces global disarray, Mideast challenges political stripes.

Obama’s Jewish backers argue that his victory will provide a significant boost in U.S. credibility and influence that can be used to increase international pressure on Iran and support for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Detractors, on the other hand, have predicted that in his desire to win international respect, Obama could end up pressuring Israel and backing away from confrontation with Iran.

What’s clear, experts say, is that Obama faces an almost unprecedented challenge for a new president. Yoram Peri, a Tel Aviv University political scientist on sabbatical at American University in Washington, described a world facing fundamental historic changes.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) met with Israeli’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni during his July, 2008, trip to Israel. In a jampacked day Obama met with President Shimon Peres, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

During the afternoon Obama, accompanied by Barak and Livni, flew by helicopter to see for himself the situation in Sderot. Obama is now President-elect of the United States, but Livni, who won control of the Kadima Party after Olmert resigned, has not been able to garner enough votes to form a coalition to rule the Knesset. Israeli elections are set now Credit: ISRANET for Feb. 10, 2009.

“I’m thinking of periods such as after the Second World War when the super powers devised a new world, or the Vienna Congress” of 1814-15 that reconfigured Europe,” he said. “You need a complicated, comprehensive approach to the new situation.”

Don’t worry too much about Obama being “tested” as a young, inexperienced president, as the McCain campaign had charged, said Yitzhak Reiter, a Hebrew

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University professor who just published “War, Peace and International Relations in Islam.”

“Being an Israeli, I know that whenever a radical group has a plan in mind and are able to carry it out, they carry it out,” he said. “If they were able to challenge America, they would have done it by now.”

The most serious challenge, Peri said, is the potential of an Iran with nuclear weapons -- a possibility that Israel believes could occur within two years.

“It will totally change the balance of power in the Middle East, not just because Iran might use the bomb, but because conventional power has been defined by non-conventional power, the fear that Israel has a nuclear capability,” he said. With a nuclear Iran, “assuming Hezbollah or Syria attacks Israel, Israel will be deterred from deterring them.”

The same goes for Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states that fear Iranian hegemony.

“The whole balance of power in the conventional sphere changes,” Peri said.

Obama’s likely path may be determined by those who advise him, Peri said, noting the preponderance of Clinton administration veterans who favor diplomatic engagement as the best path for ensuring Israel’s security. For example, in recent months, former U.S. Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross has emerged as Obama’s senior adviser on Israel and Iran, and his top staffer on Jewish issues has been another Clinton-era veteran, Daniel Shapiro.

“The people I know who are surrounding Obama have a more progressive view of the Middle East, want to see a peace between Israel and Palestinians,” Peri said.

“They see the differences in the Arab world and understand you have to take into account Arab interests vis-avis Iran.”

Ross argues that the United States needs to play a more consistent and involved role in Israeli-Palestinian talks, but he also has ruled out the establishment of any “artificial” timelines for establishing a Palestinian state.

On Iran, Ross has echoed Obama in arguing that the United States needs to increase its level of diplomatic engagement with Tehran, but says such an approach must be coupled with tougher sanctions in order to block Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Mitchell Bard, the director of the American Israel Cooperative Enterprise and the author of “Will Israel Survive?,” was heartened by the Obama campaign’s stated intention to make Iran a priority in its first months.

“He has to make some decisions early on to create some action to prevent Iran from getting to the point of no return,” Bard said.

He said Obama’s ability, proven during his campaign, to build alliances across the political spectrum would serve him well.

Continued on page 5

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by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) – Barack Obama emerges from a maelstrom into a vacuum.

The U.S. senator from Illinois has survived the longest and roughest election season in memory to assume control of a free world in free fall: A collapsing economy, a resurgent Iran, an obstreperous Russia.

“He’s going to have his hands full with a recession, a housing crisis, Wall Street, domestic legislation, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran,” said David Makovsky, a senior analyst with the Washington Center for Near East Policy.

Obama garnered 52 percent of the popular vote and 338 electoral votes Tuesday to win the presidency following a sometimes bitter campaign against his Republican challenger, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who picked up 46 percent of the popular vote and 163 electoral votes. As of Wednesday morning, three states were too close to call.

Among Jewish voters, exit polls showed Obama scoring about 78 percent of the vote compared to 22 percent for McCain, surpassing the estimated 75 percent Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) garnered in 2004.

No matter who was elected president, that individual would have to to re-accrue the political capital squandered by President Bush in his last years of office, said Steven Spiegel, a political scientist at UCLA. Obama, however, made a better case than McCain, Spiegel said.

“What Obama is really offering is the olive branch in one hand and the other is a fist,” he said.

Conservatives and some Republicans tried to use Obama’s exotic background against him, particularly in the Jewish community. But in the end, voters went with the son of a woman from small-town Kansas and a nominally Muslim father from the Kenyan hills -- a choice that some observers say will be likelier to repair relations with an international community alienated by a president who once famously said nations either stand with or against the United States.

“Obama can say ‘I’m a different person with a different approach, we’re going to work with you on global warming, family planning, we’re going to be broader in our approach, we’re not looking for fights with Russia, we have a much more nuanced policy,” Spiegel said.

M.J. Rosenberg, the legislative director of the Israel Policy Forum, which strongly favors an increased U.S. role in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiating process, said Obama’s unlikely path to the presidency was a gamechanger when it comes to foreign policy.

“He was elected to the Senate four years ago, he defeated Hillary Clinton, he defeated John McCain, he’s African American. Because it’s a transformational presidency, he can do things other presidents might not have been able to do,” Rosenberg said.

It is precisely this possibility of possibility that excites or worries Jewish political activists, depending on their

Why fight it?

November 14, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 5

Global disarray, Mideast challenges

Continued from page 4 “He has the personal chemistry, the potential for building relationships,” Bard said, noting that Bush’s first term was well served by the personal relationship he developed with Tony Blair, the British prime minister at the time, despite policy differences.

Spiegel said Obama’s willingness to engage diplomatically suggested he would succeed where the Bush administration ran into a wall -- in building an international alliance to isolate Iran.

“Obama starts out popular, people want to establish good relations,” he said.

“It’s going to be much easier to sell sanctions.”

Under those circumstances, Spiegel said, Iran should soon face a ban on imports of refined fuel. Iran, with a refining infrastructure in disarray, relies on imports for 40 percent of its petroleum use. Such a ban, coupled with the decline in the price of crude, should hit the Iranian economy hard.

“If the price of oil is dropping and not rising, and with truly effective sanctions, then you’ve got a much better chance” of getting Iran to stand down from its weapons program, he said.

Obama has said he would couple sanctions with diplomatic outreach as a means of persuading Iran. Makovsky predicted that such an outreach would not occur until after Iranian presidential elections next summer in order not to hand a victory to incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has denied the Holocaust and wishes Israel did not exist.

If such outreach fails, Makovsky said, an Obama administration will at least have earned greater credibility if it is forced into a military option.

“If those negotiations don’t work, he will have some very tough calls to make, but he will probably believe he is stronger for having made the approach,” he said.

Obama, who emphasized the Iraq quagmire during much of his campaign, until recently was believed to be likelier than McCain to have attempted to reshape the international alignment, tamping down tensions with Russia and refocusing international attention on Islamist extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

That is less likely now with the economic crisis, Peri said.

“Without the economic crisis, I think global issues would have been dealt with sooner,” he said.

Even with narrower expectations, experts agreed that the likeliest beneficiary of Obama’s victory in the Middle East would be Israel-Syria talks. Bush has discouraged this track, and McCain’s campaign suggested he would have continued that policy.

Israel and Syria, having engaged in back-channel talks through Turkey, have all but reached an agreement, including

security arrangements, analysts say. Syria is seen as close to agreeing to pull itself out of Iran’s orbit and to cut off terrorist groups. The remaining obstacle is Syria’s desire to get back into the good graces of the United States, something that American hawks have been resisting in part because of Syria’s continued designs on Lebanon.

“It won’t take more than a few months to reach an agreement,” Peri said. “With a green light from the United States, the deal is done.”

Another factor favoring a Syrian agreement is that all the leading candidates in the Israeli elections -- including Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu -- in the past have committed themselves to a peace with Syria that would include a concession of at least part of the Golan Heights, the strategic plateau Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. Experts disagreed on what the Obama victory means for Israel-Palestinian negotiations. Peri and Makovsky noted the intractability of the Palestinian split between moderates in the West Bank and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip -- a balance of power many believe makes the creation of a Palestinian state impossible at this time.

But Rosenberg of the Israel Policy Forum predicted that despite the Palestinian disarray, Obama would press on with the negotiations because the outline of an agreement is known, and achieving it would facilitate every other foreign policy initiative.

“You get a hell a lot of mileage out of getting these two peoples together,” he said. “A president who has the leadership to have a signing ceremony looks like a magician.”

But Obama’s Jewish detractors are concerned. Morton Klein, the president of the Zionist Organization of America, said his group had deep-seated worries about Obama, but as a tax-exempt organization could not speak of them until now.

“We are worried that he will put enormous pressure on Israel to make onesided concessions to the Palestinian Arabs without demanding that the Palestinian Arabs fulfill their obligations” under peace agreements, Klein said.

Klein cited as a basis for his concerns Obama’s advisers, including Daniel Kurtzer, a former ambassador to Tel Aviv who has counseled pressuring Israel, and friendships with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Rashid Khalidi, all strident critics of Israel.

Regarding Iran, Klein referred to Obama’s pledge last year to meet with Ahmadinejad, saying that “Someone who said he will sit down with this Iranian Hitler, Ahmadinehjad, without preconditions is clearly someone who will not do what needs to be done to prevent nuclear weapons (from getting) in his hands.”

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MARRIAGE JACOBSON/VOEGELE Her grandparents are Molly Sandler of Carrie W. Jacobson and Eric Voegele of Boston, MA, were married Des Moines, IA, the late Robert G. on March 8 in Palm Springs, CA. The Sandler, the late Walter Jacobson, and the late Edith Jacobson Cohen. bride’s uncle, Cary Sacks performed the ceremony. A The groom, son of Sonia reception followed at Voegele of Studio City, CA, Spencer’s Restaurant. and the late Dieter Voegele, The bride, daughter of graduated from Loyola Joanie and Richard Marymount University and Jacobson, graduated from is the executive producer of Emerson College in Boston Modernista! and is an executive producer The couple resides in Boston, MA. for Spot Editorial. Her sister, Maggie Jacobson, was her Maid of Honor.

Contact your advertising representative to advertise in these very special editions.

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Call Allan Handleman at 402.334.6451 or email:ahandleman@jewishomaha.org

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Page 6

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 14, 2008

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Jon Bruning will speak at Breadbreakers on Wednesday, Nov. 19, noon, at Regency Lodge, according to Gary Javitch, chairman. The Attorney General of the State of Nebraska will report on his trip to the battle front in Afghanistan. He’ll also discuss the recent election. 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 more information or to get on the email list, contact Lois at 334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

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THE YOUNG ENERGETIC SENIORS Join us on Monday at the JCC with musical entertainment by Kim Eames. Lunch is served at noon for $7 per person. The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Join us for Bingo with Miles Remer at 10 a.m. Call Teresa at 330.4272 for transportation. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.

WALK-IN, DROP-IN For those members going to the Ameristar Casino on Thursday, please meet at the JCC by 8:45 a.m. For information, call Maggie Conti at 334.6521.

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.

Debi Smedlund, November 2007 Employee of the Month, was selected as Methodist Hospital’s Caring Kind Employee and recognized by the Nebraska Hospital Association. This prestigious award honors outstanding health care employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with coworkers and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities.

Hospitals across the state select one Caring Kind recipient from within their respective institutions to be recognized during the NHA Annual Convention.

Smedlund, a media specialist for Integrated Services, has been an employee at Methodist Hospital for 24 years.

Gary Hill, president of CEGA services in Lincoln, received the International Corrections and Prisons Associations President’s Award for his work in nations in crisis last month. The award was presented by the ICPA at its annual meeting in Prague before a group of more than 300 professionals from 58 nations.

Hill has worked with prisons throughout the world for more than 45 years and has helped to re-establish corrections systems in nations coming out of civil war, political crises or natural disasters. He also serves as the scientific coordinator for the International Scientific and Professional Council of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, based in Milan, Italy.

VISIONS The Arlene Richman Concert scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16 has been postponed to a later date.

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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Congregations of five area churches, including First Christian Church, Dundee Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, St. Margaret Mary Church, and Underwood Hills Presbyterian Church will join Temple Israel’s congregation at the annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service on Sunday, Nov. 23, 5 p.m., at Temple. They’ll all celebrate “One God, One Nation, One World,” as they give thanks together for the bounty and freedoms of our country.

For the first time, the Muslim community of the Islamic Center of Omaha will attend the Interfaith Service too.

Reverend Renee Jensen of First Christian Church will give a sermonette during the service. The voices of Kol Rina, church choirs, the tolling of bell choirs, and the peal of Shofarot will present “All Good Gifts” by Jeffrey Honor, “One People” by Debbie Friedman, “Shelter of Your Peace” by Lisa Levine, and “Hinei Ma Tov” by Elliot Levine. Cantor Wendy Shermet will chant from the Torah, and text from the New Testament will be read.

A dessert reception, sponsored by all the congregations, will follow the prayer service. Canned goods and monetary gifts will be collected for Together, Inc., a multi-faith emergency relief services non-profit organization serving the greater Omaha area.

PHOTO PICK-UP All photos used in the recent New Year’s issue -- “Jews and Politics” are available for pick up during regular business hours. Questions? Call 334.6448.

Ted Seldin, left, presented a photo of the menorah architecture of Temple Israel to Rabbi Aryeh Azriel. The photo, taken by public relations consultant and author Bill Ramsey was originally given to Seldin for his office.

Backstage after the Roberta Flack concert with the Omaha Sympony last month: Rob Hallam, left, President and CEO, Omaha Symphony; Mary Prefontaine, Mogens Bay, Flack, Cindy Bay, and David and Martha Slosburg, chairmen of the gala. David Slosburg noted, "Omaha is known for its quality of life. The Omaha Symphony adds to our quality of life by providing the powerful inspiration of music. You may not realize it, but your presence here tonight insures that tens of thousands of young people in Nebraska and Iowa will get to experience the thrill of live music. Proceeds from the gala go to the Omaha Symphony's education programs. These outreach programs touched the lives of more than 37,000 students last year alone -- students who might not ever be exposed to classical music without an organization like the symphony reaching out to them."

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Real life CSI highlight Brunch ’n Learn event

by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Addicted to “Law and Order�-type dramas on TV? Intrigued by the skills and savviness needed to solve crimes? If so, head to Beth El on Sunday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m., for a brunch ’n learn program, featuring Joanna Kay, a crime scene investigator for the Douglas County Sheriff’s office. The event is sponsored by Men’s Club.

Kay, an Omaha native and Beth El congregant, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and earned her Master of Science degree in forensic anthropology from the University of Central Joanna Kay Lancashire, in Preston, England. A former research intern at Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem, and a dig participant at Bethsaida Excavations, Kay has now been on the job for eight months, and was recently awarded a permanent position with the sheriff’s office. “This is my first career out of school, and luckily it’s in the same field as what I went to school for -- Forensic Anthropology,� Kay shared. “I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Classics during my undergrad, thinking I wanted to go into archaeology. After undergraduate school I went on a dig where a skeleton was uncovered. I was fixed on this past life and wanted to be able to analyze the skeleton, which led me to further education in Forensic Anthropology.�

After earning a Master’s degree, Kay returned home for a visit and decided to volunteer in the forensics lab at the Douglas County Sheriff’s office. “And the rest, as they say, is history ‌â€? she said.

During her talk at Beth El, Kay will touch on what being a crime scene investigator entails (“I’ll explain how it’s not like what is on TV,� she said), plus what led her to this livelihood. “Being a part of the force that helps track down the suspect to ensure that more people don’t fall victim to their crimes is one of the most satisfying parts of the job,� Kay noted. “Every day is something different and a challenge, which is both satisfying and difficult. There is always something to learn, as each scene is different. New technology and methods are always appearing in this ever growing and evolving field and it’s important to stay educated.�

Kay’s presentation is open to the entire Jewish community, at no charge. For more information, contact Margie Gutnik at 492.8550, or programming@bethelomaha.org.

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 7

Goldberg switches roles at Temple Israel

and educational opportunities offered by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning. She’ll also help integrate new members into the Temple community, involve more members through volunteer activities, and play a vital role in the communication processes. A liaison between staff and the congregation, she’ll help create a leadership development program.

Other responsibilities will include creating a database of congregants’ talents and interests; initiating outreach to unaffiliated Jews; addressing needs of potential members; identifying, mobilizing, and supporting volunteers and ensuring that they have the education, resources, and necessary training; and creating a volunteer recognition program.

Being program director “will give me a new perspective on congregational life,� Goldberg said. “While I was president, I enjoyed the daily interaction with the staff, and congregants. These relationships and powerful moments made me proud to be part of a special community. I’m looking forward to the new challenge.�

Over time, Zweiback “stretched the boundaries� of her job by partnering with other institutions “to present something unique and exciting to Jewish Omaha.� In addition to working with women leaders who hosted the two citywide women’s seders, Zweiback said, “one of my favorite community projects was a celebration of Jewish veterans� which produced “a gorgeous exhibit that was shown at the JCC, the synagogues, and the Strategic Air and Space Museum. These were exciting experiences that engaged me in new ways.�

As the staff person working most directly to plan and develop the adult education curriculum at Temple supported in large part by the fund named in memory of her mother, Hermene Zweiback, Rosie noted that “it has made my work more meaningful. I just wish she could have seen me become a leader in this community that she loved so much.� “We at Temple Israel have been extremely blessed with Rosie’s creativity and passion for the last seven years,� said Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, “and we’re looking forward to the work of Wendy Goldberg as our new program director. She and her family come from a long tradition of awareness of the role of the synagogue in Jewish life.�

He fully expects “life around Temple Israel to continue to be active, fruitful, and innovative.�

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Jon Meyers, president of the Temple Israel Board of Trustees, announced that Wendy Goldberg, immediate past president of the board, has been appointed the new program director on the Temple staff. She replaces Rosie Zweiback who has held the position for seven years. “Wendy brings strength to the position including strong organizational skills, interpersonal relationships as well as a true love for and commitment to Judaism,�

Meyers told the Temple congregation when he announced Goldberg’s acceptance of the position.

A self-described “avid volunteer,� Goldberg is a past Wendy Goldberg is the new recipient of the Jewish program director at Temple Federation of Omaha’s Lois Israel.

Jeanne Schrager Young Leadership and Volunteer of the Year Awards. “Being a member of the Omaha community has provided me strong roots and inspired me to give back as an example for my children,� she said.

She has served on Temple’s Executive Committee for many years; is a past president of Women of Reform Judaism (Omaha); a board member of Omaha’s TriFaith Initiative, a partnership of Temple Israel, the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, and the American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture; a member of the Omaha Section of the National Council of Jewish Women; and was building project manager for the Jewish Community Center Child Development Center.

In the greater Omaha community, she has been active at Westside High School and created a website and a library providing information about diabetes.

Until recently, Goldberg maintained websites for three Associated Press State Bureaus and produced monthly newsletters for members. She also previously planned curriculum and taught young children computer technology skills which evolved into training adults.

As the new program director, Goldberg will be working an expanded 30-hour week working closely with staff and various committees to implement programs, events,

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Tracy and Lester Lewis of Santa Monica, CA, announce the Oct. 24 birth of their son, Casey Daniel.

He is named after his great-uncle, Mitchell Rabino.

He has a brother, Charlie.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 14, 2008

Children’s choir to debut at Temple Israel family Shabbat

The Prairie Table Cookbook

About 25 children, from kindergartners to sixth graders, have been practicing for their first Shabbat service together as a choir.

“A couple of the children in the choir have had piano lessons, a couple have sung in school choirs,” said Emily Meyer, choir director. But most of them have little experience in singing -- just a desire to participate in the beauty of Jewish music.

Meyer earned a bachelor’s degree in piano and theory composition and a master’s in composition from the Peabody Conservatory in Boston.

She plays the piano, harpsichord, flute, and clarinet Emily Meyer practices with Temple’s Children’s Choir. among other instruments, at Temple Israel are an ideal way to bridge and of course, she sings. She has lived the gap. The youngsters read from a here for three years and teaches piano and child-friendly siddur rather than the composition at the Omaha Conservatory Mishkan T’filah, are able to get out of of Music.

Other choir appearances are Fridays, their seats to participate in the hakafah (procession), and enjoy a kid-approved Dec. 19 at Temple’s Hanukkah Shabbat; Feb. 20 and April 17. Reservations for Shabbat dinner after services.

At the first Family Shabbat this year on dinner after service are due by Nov. 17.

Friday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m., at Temple, the Adult meals (12 years old and above) are new Children’s Choir will make its debut, $8 each; children’s meals are $5 each; a treat for parents and children alike. kids three and younger eat free.

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by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator For families that have outgrown Tot Shabbat, but the children aren’t quite mature enough yet for regular Shabbat worship services, Family Shabbat Services

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Local Omaha singer Tom Tomoser announced the release of a CD single “OH ISRAEL” which features former Omahan Suzy Drazen. The song was composed after Tomoser’s visit to Israel and is released on his Omaha Lone Eagle

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His company was named Nebraska Exporter of the year in 2000. The CD is available on www.cdbaby.com.

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Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 9

Preschoolers learn joy of Judaism through Beth El’s Nitzanim program

absorbing Judaism on a cognitive as well as an experienby JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator tial level. I would like the parents to also come away To grow healthy trees, shrubs and plants, you must from each program with information that they can first plant seeds, and then take the time to nurture and transfer to their own lives, and the tools to make it hapencourage their growth. Beth El Synagogue holds a pen.”

Leslie Eades, who attended last month’s program parallel philosophy when it comes to growing dedicated Jews: you must plant seeds - the seeds of knowledge with her daughter, Emma, said they went because, “it is and a joy of Judaism - and start early, with the littlest really important to Brian and me that our children have real-life experiences, not just to read about them in a members in the congregation.

To make good on that belief, the synagogue recently book. I think Emma came away from this program with a real understanding of the established its Nitzanim sukkah and the meaning of (Hebrew for ‘buds’) prothe holiday. We will definitegram, with the goal of introly be attending more producing preschoolers to grams.”

Jewish holidays and their Andee Scioli and Rebecca accompanying celebrations.

Reutsch also expressed Nitzanim, which serves as an enthusiasm about the auxiliary to Beth El’s regular Sukkot program, and said preschool class, has schedthey look forward to attenduled five holiday-related ing future Nitzanim events. programs during the year: “Jack and Joe loved it,” for Sukkot (held last said Scioli, of her sons. “Jack month), Hanukkah, Dec. had fun preparing the stone 14; Tu T’Shevat, Jan. 18; soup and also enjoyed the Passover, March 29; and arts and crafts. Joe liked Yom Ha’Atzmaut, April shaking the lulav and listen26. ing to the music.

Nitzanim is geared to “We feel it is important for t h r e e - a n d - f o u r- y e a r- o l d children and their parents, them to attend so they can according to Education learn about their religion, Director Judy Bisman interact with other children Rubin, who leads the proand have a great time particigram along with a group of pating in the activities,” she guest facilitators. continued. We feel very for“I wanted to give this age tunate to have our children group a very special experilearning from Beth El’s ence on Sunday mornings,” intelligent, talented and Rubin remarked. “It’s a friendly educators.” great introduction to the Reutsch said her twins Ari synagogue, plus synagogue and Ethan enjoyed singing personnel and the Talmud and the art activities during Torah. Our early childhood the October program, Shabbat programming - Tot adding that she and her husShabbat, Shabbat Tunes ‘n’ Top photo: During last month’s Nitzanim program, Beth El band, David Finkelstein, Tales and Shabbat Morning Rabbi Mordechai Levin spent time in the sukkah with the “most enjoyed seeing them Live -- has created a cadre of preschoolers, talking about the holiday of Sukkot. Middle learn in a nurturing environparticipants who are used to photo: Parents and children enjoyed their arts and crafts ment and develop a love of a certain level of program- project during the first program. Bottom photo: Leslie Eades Judaism.” ming, and Nitzanim serves and her daughter, Emma, work together on an art creation.

Noting that “it is imporas a transition from these tant to us that the boys have early childhood experiences a sense of who they are and to the Talmud Torah itself.” they begin to develop a Touting the program’s strong Jewish identity,” she “fun and experiential” said that through Nitzanim, opportunities, she added “we’d like to see them take that, “I wanted to create an away a better understanding environment in which learnof the meaning behind the ing takes place with joy and holidays and to have fun with age-appropriate cretoo.” ative and interesting activiThe Nitzanim program is ties to transmit this knowlopen to all families in the edge.

Jewish community, at no “At the end of each sescharge. For more informasion, I would like the chiltion or to register, contact dren to have had a marRubin at 498.0904, or velous time learning and eddir@bethel-omaha.org.

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OTYG making the most of the season lowed by a an ethnic feast at Temple Israel.

Then they’ll attend the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service at 5 p.m. at Temple. To attend, please RSVP to Emily Katz, OTYG Social Action vice president, at 517.7863.

Beginning Dec. 1, OTYG will sell compact fluorescent light bulbs in keeping with the youth group’s “going green” project this year. The goal is to install a new CFL light bulb each night during Hanukkah helping to change the world one light bulb at a time.

by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Temple Israel Communications Coordinator Omaha Temple Youth Group (OTYG) is making the most of the fall season. Last month, 15 members observed Havdalah at the home of advisor Amy Katz before boarding buses for Mystery Manor and Scary Acres. Welcoming the fall fun were two employees from Mystery Manor, chaperon Leora Azriel, Haley Burns, Haley Halsted, Susan Freeman, Justin Norton, Jacob Arnold, Jack Gilinsky, Laura Gilinsky, Josh Sullivan, Rachel Saag, Sophia Miller, Madison Baron, Jordan Jensen, Lindsay Thomas, Yaniv Azriel, Bailey Newman, and Madison Jensen.

Over a bonfire back at Katz’s home, the teens roasted hot dogs and made s’mores to conclude a night of many Haley Halsted was one of the OTYGers more spooky treats than scary tricks.

Coming up this month, OTYG will join members of who attended Haunted Havdalah.

Muslim and Episcopalian youth groups on Sunday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m. They’ll take a bus to the Omaha Food Bank and spend a couple of hours stocking shelves fol-

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Page 10

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 14, 2008

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Beth El youth make solid connection with Jewish summer camps

offers an annual Maccabia competition,

by JILL BELMONT Israel Day, Rock School (for aspiring Beth El Publicity Coordinator Summer camp experiences are priceless, musicians) and the Masada Banquet, capoffering adventure, camaraderie and ping off each camp session.

Tomer says “getting to learn about countless memories. Add to that mix a daily dose of Judaism and spirituality, and Judaism” is a special aspect of attending a you have a recipe for an even more mean- Jewish camp; he also noted that “Kabbalat Shabbat at camp is special. It is ingful, unforgettable summer.

For years, Beth El children and teens overlooking the lake and we can see the have been avid Jewish summer camp sun set, and you feel like this is home attendees; several of them recently shared thoughts about their special summer getaways. Each of their recollections goes beyond stories of sailing, arts and crafts or marshmallow roasts: they also speak of meaningful immersion in Jewish life and a community bond that has touched them all.

Ari Brodkey, 16, has spent the past three summers at Camp Ramah, the camping arm of the Conservative Movement, located in Conover, WI. Ramah offers a full range of activities -including swimming, sailing, kayaking, music, dance, nature, photography, arts, Tomer Palmon enjoys summers at Camp Credit: Ophir Palmon sports and drama -- which integrate Sabra.

Jewish values and observances into the because you are with your friends.”

His first exposure to Camp Sabra was daily camp experience.

Brodkey said he enjoys the different through his older sister, Shir, who has ways Jewish culture is woven into daily attended since sixth grade and plans to life at Ramah. He noted the camp’s Beit apply for a CIT position there for the Midrash program, led by students from upcoming summer. The Meadows the Jewish Theological Seminary, who Elementary School fifth grader said his conducted study sessions with teenagers. favorite camp activities include “tubing, “You learn your lessons in Hebrew and swimming in the pool and lake, blob and get to work a lot with translations,” he iceberg and drama. I love these because explained. “We also got to study texts they are really fun.”

Tomer’s mother, Roni Reiter-Palmon, and talk about our thoughts about them expressed satisfaction with her children’s and how they apply.”

The Central High School sophomore camp experience, saying, “I love the fact also appreciates the widespread use of that my kids enjoy this camp. Both kids Hebrew, saying, “There’s more Hebrew have made friends from other cities, spoken up there than English, so you which is wonderful, and they learn about really get to develop your Hebrew skills. Judaism and Israel in a fun environment, You learn words by hearing them over in addition to all the traditional summer and over; for example, the morning fun activities like camping, sports, nature announcements are made in Hebrew. and swimming.”

Another Sabra attendee, Effie Tsabari, Things like knowing all the names of the buildings and facilities and learning how sings the praises of the camp she has to use different verbs help you conversa- attended since 2001.

“I would never consider spending my tionally; you understand how the lantime at a non-Jewish camp,” says the guage works and the mechanics of it.

“There are so many Israeli counselors, Westside High School senior. “The fact and they are the ones who primarily teach that I can experience so many new things Hebrew,” he added. “They teach mod- throughout the month with kids who are ern Hebrew – the way people actually talk the same religion as me is something that -- as opposed to textbook Hebrew, the way you learn it in a book.” While Brodkey said he’s not yet fluent in the language, “I’ve greatly improved since I’ve gone to camp.”

When asked how Camp Ramah feeds his spirit, Brodkey answered, “There’s a saying about Ramah: ‘For those who go, they can never describe it; for those who don’t go, they’ll never understand it.’ It’s hard to describe it; even the physical place itself leaves you at peace; Effie Tsabari, center, hangs out with two of her closest the environment is very relax- friends at Camp Sabra this past summer. ing. You get there and you’re away from I cherish and really appreciate. Because of a lot of the worries and hectic part of the fact that we all have Judaism in comyour life at home. Being away from the mon, I feel that my relationship with my busyness of the city is really nice; things camp friends is much stronger and differmove a lot slower and you get a lot of ent than my relationships with my school friends. time to enjoy everything around you.”

“I would definitely encourage others to For more information about Camp Ramah, contact Beth El Education attend Sabra,” she continued. “I'm so Director Judy Rubin at 498-0904, or visit thankful that I started going there when I was younger. I got to experience and do www.ramahwisconsin.com.

Tomer Palmon, 10, has attended Camp things that I would never have had the Sabra for the past three summers, and chance to do if I didn't go to Sabra. I've says he will definitely return next sum- made best friendships that I know will last mer. a lifetime. Sabra is the best place that a Located in Rocky Mount, Missouri, child could spend his or her summer, and Sabra is run by the St. Louis Jewish that's why I plan on going back next Community Centers Association. In summer as a counselor.” addition to typical camp activities, it Continued on page 11

November 14, 2008

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

Page 11

Beth El connection with Holocaust’s effect on families Jewish summer camps theme of new fiction Continued from page 10 ation, even though the subject is taboo.

The mother Jana Ivanova, from Prague, lost her entire More information about Camp Sabra can be found at B OOK REVIEW family in the Holocaust. Her own life was spared only www.campsabra.com.

Another popular Jewish camp for Beth El’s young people is Herzl Camp in Webster, Wisconsin. The camp has served as a home away from home for 13-year-old Kylie Kirshenbaum, who has attended for the past six years and who enthusiastically says she loves “just about everything about it.” Ultimate Frisbee, canoeing, rock climbing and sports competitions top Kirshenbaum’s list of favorite activities; Sabra’s Shabbat celebration also holds a special place in her heart.

“Every Friday night, everyone dresses in white and it’s really pretty,” the Kiewit Middle School eighth grader shared.

“We all line up and then the people leading the Shabbat Kylie Kirshenbaum, left, is seen here with evening pick up a camp friend, spent her sixth summer at everyone at Camp Herzl in 2008. their cabins and we all go to the flag circle. Everyone sings songs, then we go into Friday night service.” The service is followed by “really good food like matzoh balls and chicken,” she added, and campers get to sleep in later than usual the following morning.

Jewish life is experienced in other special ways at Herzl, including Israeli Day, where “everyone dresses in blue and white and we do activities that have to do with Israel. It’s really fun doing those activities and learning about everything,” Kirshenbaum said. Other camp highlights include the two Israeli scouts who come to camp and teach the campers about different aspects of Israeli life, plus the annual concert by popular contemporary Jewish singer Rick Recht.

Her friendships are another invaluable aspect of camp life. “Before I went to Herzl, I didn’t realize how many Jewish kids are like me and have the same experiences as me,” said Kirshenbaum, who was quick to add that those relationships keep her coming back to Herzl each summer.

Overall, she said, “Everything that they have at Herzl makes being Jewish fun. Each activity they offer gets you really interested and into it, and you know so much more when you come back.”

For more information about Herzl Camp, visit its web site at www.herzlcamp.org.

by JANICE ARNOLD Canadian Jewish News

The Holocaust and its lingering effects on family relationships is the theme of several works of fiction by female Montreal authors published this fall.

Tell Me a Story, Tell Me the Truth (Second Story Press)

by Gina Roitman is a collection of linked stories about the coming of age of Leah Smilovitz, a child of Holocaust survivors haunted by her parents’ tragic past and struggling to find her own identity.

Like everyone else in her tightly knit immigrant neighbourhood in Montreal in the 1950s and ’60s, she is burdened with history, yet hopeful as she tries to adjust to a new country and social changes that are at odds with Old World ways.

There is a pervasive undercurrent of pain and guilt that has been transmitted to the younger generation, and she rebels against it.

As other survivors’ children have likely heard, Leah’s mother’s worst admonishment is: “I survived Hitler for this?”

“That’s how we lived, surrounded by ghosts,” Roitman writes. “They sat at the table while we ate our Sunday meal. They lay beside us in the bed as we slept, dreaming of flying through the air.”

Yet the book does have it humourous moments.

Roitman says the book is based largely on her own experiences.

Roitman was born in Passau, Germany in 1948 and lived in the Pocking-Waldstadt displaced persons camp until the family moved to Montreal when she was a child.

She became a writer and poet, and public relations consultant, and is now completing a film entitled My Mother, the Nazi Midwife and Me, which she describes as a chilling but hopeful documentary about her discovery that the horrific stories she thought were told to scare her as a child were actually true.

She dedicates the book to her late parents, Sula Kluger and Benzion Miedwiecki, “whose words guide me still.”

Also published by Second Story Press is Ami Sands Brodoff’s novel The White Space Between, whose theme is also about how the Holocaust affects the next gener-

because of her typing skills. As a “secretary of death,” she typed up death certificates for her fellow prisoners at Auschwitz.

Jana has tried to shield her daughter Willow, whom she raised in a small New Jersey town, from her horrific memories, but is forced to wonder if there is a price to pay for sparing your child from the truth of their heritage.

Jana receives a letter from a Holocaust remembrance organization in Montreal where she had lived after the war, asking her to bear testimony.

The adult Willow, meanwhile, is searching into her mother’s history, of which she knows nothing past the start of World War II. Her own early life is also a mystery; she never knew her father, still living in Montreal.

The silence has turned Willow into a loner, who finds more comfort in her artistic creations -- she makes marionettes -- than in human relationships.

The book points out the damage that can be done in shutting out the past, no matter how good the intentions, and the necessity of remembering to move forward. Born in New York in 1955 and now living in Montreal, Brodoff’s last book, the stories’ collection Bloodknots, was shortlisted for the Re-Lit Award. She also writes for magazines and newspapers.

In the historical novel What World is Left (Orca Books), author Monique Polak is inspired by her mother’s experiences as a teenager in the Theresienstadt concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.

Her mother and her family survived largely because her father, the Dutch cartoonist Jo Spier, was forced to produce propaganda drawings for the Nazis who showed them to the world as supposed proof that camp was a haven not a hell-hole.

Until she began researching the book, Polak says her mother, Celien Spier, now 79, never spoke openly about what happened to her in Theresienstadt. She grew up in Amsterdam and attended the same school as her contemporary, Anne Frank.

Polak says a sense of guilt underlined the silence because the Nazis had used her grandfather’s work to spread their lies. After much prodding for information, Polak has transformed her mother’s history into a work of fiction about making the most difficult choices and the need to confront and understand the past.

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November 14, 2008

Double standard Three terrorists convicted in the 2002 bombing of a nightclub in Bali were executed in Indonesia last week. Members of the terror group Jemaah Islamiah injured more than 200 and killed another 200 people. The group struck again in 2005 and killed another 20, injuring 129.

The terrorists, who were executed by firing squad, were returned to their home villages for burial, where they were met by cheering crowds, welcoming the “martyrs.” (Their lawyers had fought against execution by firing squad, noting that beheading is “more humane.” We wonder if Judah Pearl, father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, would agree.) The majority of those killed or injured in the two bombings were Australian, British and American -- ostensibly because those three countries had the majority of troops in Iraq at the time.

We should be thankful that the main perpetrators (at least who weren’t killed when they walked in to the Balinese bar, strapped with explosives), finally received what they meted out. But Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned the executions, especially as HRW noted that “the death penalty is not an appropriate sanction, particularly in this instance” while putting actions by the Israeli government in practically the same category as murderous terrorists.

It has occurred to us, that if Israel were to have executed any of its Palestinian prisoners for terrorist attacks in which Israeli (and American) civilians were killed, there would have been an outcry in the press. Instead, when the Israeli government released those same prisoners last year for the promise of

peace with the Palestinians, the only outcry, was that Israel needed to release more.

Israel, by the way, has only used the death penalty once in his 60 year history: to execute the notorious Adolph Eichmann -- Hitler’s henchman responsible for the “Final Solution” and the deaths of six million Jews.

Amnesty International stated on its website that, “While the Bali attacks were a horrific atrocity, Amnesty International firmly believes that to continue the cycle of violence through state sanctioned killing will not bring redress for the victims, and furthermore answers the violation of human rights with further violations.”

Human Rights Watch declared that it “deplores acts of terrorism and recognizes the government’s duty to bring to justice persons responsible for such serious crimes. We condemn the 2002 Bali bombings as horrific and inexcusable attacks, and believe that the perpetrators should be held to account.” (But not executed, apparently.)

Oh, and by the way: news out of Saudi Arabia reported that authorities beheaded yet another Saudi man. He was convicted of shooting another man during an argument.

Apparently, Saudi Arabia follows the strictest interpretation of Islamic law (Shari’ah), under which people convicted of murder, rape and armed robbery can be executed usually by beheading. So far this year, 82 have been executed in this manner, but down from last year’s total of 137.

Oh -- and the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiah? It’s linked to Al Qaeda; by now, everyone knows that Al Qaeda’s arm in Yemen has renewed its call for attacks on the West, in particular on the United States and its interests worldwide. For the sake of civilized people everywhere, we truly hope this doesn’t come to pass. If it does and the terrorists are captured, don’t be surprised to hear the cries of condemnation for the punishment of their crimes.

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Why Jews voted for Obama

AMERICA DECIDES 2008

by MARC STANLEY DALLAS (JTA) -- This year, once again, the Jewish community overwhelmingly supported the Democratic nominee for president. With the election of Barack Obama, Jewish voters selected a candidate who, despite an unprecedented smear campaign, represents the values of our community.

This year, we also heard the all-too-familiar claims that the Republican nominee would receive a record amount of the Jewish vote.

Again, however, this prediction came up woefully short.

In every election cycle for the past 36 years, Republicans offered “sky is falling” predictions that Jewish voters would give significant support to the Republican nominee. A typical claim was when President George W. Bush’s campaign chairman, Marc Racicot, predicted in 2004 that Bush would garner between 30 and 35 percent of the Jewish vote. Despite the Republicans’ history of failed forecasts of the Jewish vote prior to 2004, their delusional claims persisted.

In 2004, the media largely bought into the argument that Bush would receive a significant portion of the Jewish vote. A New Republic piece by Lawrence Kaplan titled “Kerry’s Jewish Problem” typefied the media’s fascination with the prospect that Sen. John Kerry would receive an unusually small portion of the Jewish vote. The media frenzy led many to give credence to Republican claims about the Jewish vote four years ago.

Despite the Republican theory about Jewish voters, results from Election Day 2004 showed the usual overwhelming Jewish sup-

port for Kerry. In fact, since 1972, when exit polls were first instituted, the Republican nominee has averaged only 27 percent of the Jewish vote. In recent elections, the Republican nominee has received even less, with Jewish support at 22 percent for Bush in 2004 and 19 percent in 2000, and 16 percent for Bob Dole in 1996. In 2006, the Jewish support of Democratic congressional candidates reached 87 percent.

Nonetheless, the media remained enticed by persistent Republican claims about the Jewish vote during this election cycle. The endless attempt by the media to report the “man bites dog story” led to news articles such as “Obama’s Jewish Problem” (Politico, March 13, 2007) and “Obama’s Struggle to Secure the Jewish Vote” (NBC, May 23, 2008).

According to exit polling from the Nov. 4 election, Obama received 78 percent of the Jewish vote -about 25 percent greater than Obama’s percentage of total support nationally. That exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Again, this year’s supporters of the Republican nominee and members of the media prematurely reported that John McCain would receive a dramatically increased percentage of Jewish support with Obama as the Democratic nominee.

In the early months of the election campaign, the polls projected Obama would receive about 60 percent of the Jewish community’s support. Sensing an opportunity to capture a sizable number of Jewish voters, McCain supporters engaged in an unprecedented campaign in the Jewish community.

This campaign not only included efforts to paint Obama as an anti-American Muslim, but

(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Carol Katzman Editor Richard Busse Managing Editor Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Robyn Belgrade Sales Associate Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper

it also implied that an Obama presidency could bring a second Holocaust. The campaign was widely criticized and outraged many in the Jewish communities they targeted.

As Election Day drew closer and the Jewish community learned more about the two candidates, polling showed that Obama’s support in the Jewish community increased to between 70 and 74 percent. Ultimately the Jewish community supported the Democratic nominee in overwhelming numbers.

According to exit polling from the Nov. 4 election, Obama received 78 percent of the Jewish vote -- about 25 percent greater than Obama’s percentage of total support nationally. That exceeded everyone’s expectations.

There are two reasons for this performance.

First, Jewish voters took a very close look at both candidates in the final 10 weeks of the campaign. Obama’s performance in the debates belied the GOP narrative that he could not be trusted, while McCain’s pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate undermined his Jewish support.

Second, Jewish Democrats -- the National Jewish Democratic Council, along with the Obama campaign and other independent efforts -- were better organized than ever.

Every four years, like a broken record, we are subjected to the refrain from Republicans that “this is gong to be the year the Jewish community votes Republican” -- but it never proves true. Somewhat prophetically, Ethan Porter of The New Republic got it right last week when he reported that “the fear that Jews might desert the Democratic Party comes up every four years” but “this theory might finally be put to bed.”

Indeed, as it has for the last three decades, the theory that Jewish voters would significantly support the Republican nominee again has been discredited.

Marc Stanley is the chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council.

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November 14, 2008

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Page 13

B’Tselem bends the truth: Human rights group’s statistics are often untrustworthy

FOCUS ON ISSUES

by TAMAR STERNTHAL On Jan. 17, 2002 Abdul Salaam Sadek Hassouneh of Nablus burst into a bat mitzvah celebration at a Hadera reception hall, shooting dead six and injuring 35 before Israeli security forces ended the bloodbath by killing him.

But Hassouneh has another, lesser known claim to notoriety. He was the first of several Palestinian terrorists killed while attacking Israelis to appear that year in B’Tselem’s list of “Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli security forces” (emphasis added).

The oft-cited B’Tselem bills itself as an Israeli human rights group devoted to rigorous documentation of Israeli conduct in the West Bank and Gaza. Its reports and activities just became eminently more relevant to Americans with last month’s opening of a Washington, D.C., office and the group’s stated expectation “to become the central clearinghouse for information about human rights conditions in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip for Member [sic] of Congress, the State Department and other policy makers.”

Americans -- private citizens and policy makers alike -- take note. The listing of Hassouneh as a civilian was not a fluke. He was followed by numerous other socalled Palestinian “civilians” in 2002, including Omar Mahmoud Abu Rub and Yusef Muhammad Abu Rub, killed by border police gunfire after they murdered six Israeli civilians in Beit She’an. Both attacks were claimed

by Fatah’s Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.

In the wake of CAMERA’s criticism of this grossly deceptive practice, B’Tselem revamped its methodology for tracking Palestinian casualties of the intifada. In more recent years, the group has dropped the “civilian” label as pertaining to Palestinians and describes most -- but

not all -- Palestinians fatalities as either “killed when participating in hostilities” or “did not participate in hostilities when killed.”

Nevertheless, the organization’s current detailed data on all Palestinians killed by Israelis since Sept. 29, 2000, “cited widely by Western news organizations” are no less problematic for a number of reasons. Most importantly, B’Tselem’s research is as shoddy and unreliable as ever.

B’Tselem continues to blame the Israeli security forces for the Sept. 30, 2000 death of 12-year-old Muhammad Al Dura, despite the fact that a number of independent investigations have definitively ruled out that possibility.

Take for instance, the case of 11-year-old Muhammad Ali Abu al-Wafa, killed Dec. 31, 2007 in Khan Younis.

B’Tselem lists him as one of those killed by Israeli security forces, although he actually died in Hamas-Fatah clashes, a fact undisputed by Palestinian sources such as the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and Ma’an News Agency.

Even more shocking, perhaps, is that B’Tselem continues to blame the Israeli security forces for the Sept. 30, 2000 death of 12-year-old Muhammad Al Dura, despite the fact that a number of independent investigations have definitively ruled out that possibility. (B’Tselem, it should be noted, is funded in part by the Ford Foundation and the New Israel Fund.)

And, as it turns out, B’Tselem’s newer system distinguishing between those who were and were not participating in hostilities when killed is no more trustworthy than its earlier false identification of “civilians.” Thus, B’Tselem reports that Muhammad Zaki Jum’ah alNajar, killed Nov. 20, 2007 in Khan Younis, “Did not participate in hostilities when killed.” Yet, Hamas’ English Web site boasts “Today, Al-Qassam Brigades mourn the death of the mujahim [fighter]: Mohammed

Zaki Al Najjar. The mujahid was martyred during a clash with the Zionist occupation forces ...”

An examination of this year’s data is just as disheartening. B’Tselem carries an unusually brief listing for Fahmi Abd al-Jawad Hussein a-Darduk, 15, of Nablus, killed May 19, 2008 “by gunfire.” B’Tselem does not specify that he was “killed while participating in hostilities” even though he was carrying explosives and ignored soldiers orders to stop and raise his hands at a checkpoint when he was killed.

Another serious flaw in B’Tselem’s current data is that terrorists’ affiliations are virtually always ignored. Thus, one would have no idea that Bilal Hamuda Muhammad Saleh, supposedly “killed while sleeping in a car” April 17, 2008 was the head of Islamic Jihad in Qabatiya, or that Muhammad Shhadeh Abed Shhadeh (a-Ta’amari), killed March 12, 2008 in the Tulkarm district, headed Islamic Jihad in Bethlehem.

Making this omission yet more deceptive, B’Tselem’s end-of-the-year press release on Palestinian casualties specifically claims that the organization has tallied civilian Palestinian casualties. For instance, the press release from Dec. 31, 2007 misleads, stating that in 2007 Israeli security forces killed 373 Palestinians and that “about 35 percent of those killed were civilians who were not taking part in the hostilities when killed.”

Yet, Islamic Jihad leaders from Bethlehem or Qabatiya, even if they weren’t murdering anyone at the moment they were killed, are no more civilians than the man who shot dead six people celebrating at a bat mitzvah. In a press release about the new D.C. office, B’Tselem touted its “accurate and credible information.” Accurate and credible? You be the judge.

Tamar Sternthal is director of the Israel office of CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America). A version of this article first appeared on the website of the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth at www.ynetnews.com.

My favorite Columbia classmate

Barack Obama is now my favorite Columbia College classmate. Barack and I graduated from Columbia College in May 1983. Thanks to Barack, I have been freed from an excruciating bi-monthly ordeal.

Six times a year Columbia College Today, our alumni magazine, makes the long trek all the way out to my post-office box in Givat Ze’ev, Israel. And six times a year, with fear and trepidation, I used to rip open the plastic covering, flip to the “Class Notes” section in the back, find “83,” and then begin the nasty business of seeing how I measure up to the other guys (all guys in fact, since we were Columbia’s last all-male class). But now I am at peace when CCT arrives. Because no one can compete with Barack Obama. Game over.

Daniel J. is chief executive officer of a major retail con-

glomerate? Barack O. is about to become chief executive of the United States Federal Government. John S. commands one of our fighting forces in Iraq? Barack O. is about to become Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces. Lawrence G. was appointed to the appellate court in one of the southern states? Barack O. will soon be in the position to appoint United States Supreme Court Justices. And so it goes. It’s just tough to compete against the President of the United States.

For the record, I don’t remember Barack from my college days, nor do any of my friends, nor have any of our classmates reported to CCT about palling around with Barack. Perhaps he was a more serious student than we were and didn’t circulate much.

Looking at the situation from a different perspective (i.e., from the perspective of the person who paid for Columbia’s tuition), my dad called me after the Democratic Convention to say: “Maybe if you had had a little less fun in college you too could have been President of the United States.”

Apparently, to judge from the write-up in the most recent 2008 edition of CCT, the recent 25th reunion of our Class of ‘83 was an “overwhelming success.”

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How is this publication thinking about the future?

JOURNAL ENTRY FROM ISRAEL

by TEDDY WEINBERGER

Unfortunately, neither Barack nor I could make it.

Barack sent a short letter to the class, which was read aloud at the reunion and printed in CCT. Barack noted that “Twenty-five years ago, we left Columbia with the wind at our backs. But in spite of our successes, many in our nation have not shared in the prosperity of the last quarter-century, and some are worse off than before. We must continually be reminded of the work that remains to protect our union and repair our world.” He’s still as serious as ever.

I’m not sure how far I was from Obama on our graduation day. Perhaps if I was a little closer to him, I might have been swept up in the gust that has brought him so far ahead of the rest of us.

And indeed, because he has come so very far, Barack has taken the pressure off all of the rest of us in Columbia’s Class of 1983, for we now have one thing in common: we are all equally non-presidential.

Teddy Weinberger and his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, made aliyah in 1997 and live across the Green Line in Givat Ze’ev with their five children, three of whom serve in the IDF. He can be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.

By becoming part of the past.

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Page 14

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 14, 2008

Candlelighting Friday, November 14, 4:48 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

If you’re looking at this space, so are others!

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to reserve space, call

Allan Handleman, 402.334.6451 or Robyn Belgrade 402.334.6559

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE FRIDAY: Services followed by an Wine and Cheese Oneg, 7:30 p.m., with guest speakers, Betty Dineen Shreir and Bill Ramsey discussing their book Doorway to Freedom, The Story of David Kaufman, Merchant-BenefactorRescuer. The community is invited.

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

FRIDAY: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. Monthly celebration, open to all families in the Jewish community, will be followed by a special dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dinner cost is $10 for everyone ages 7 and older; no charge for children six and younger. To RSVP, contact the synagogue office.

SATURDAY: Morning services, 9:30 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Sara Juster and Sorin Juster, in honor of their son, Ari, becoming a Bar Mitzvah; Minha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.

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

SUNDAY: Bible Study Discussion Group; Navigating our Services with Joy led by Susi Frydman-Levin, 10 a.m.; The Mitzvah Club, also led by Susi Frydman-Levin; and Synagogue skills class, led by Cantor Beth Schlossberg, 11 a.m.

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

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

SHABBAT TUNES & TALES: Saturday, Nov. 22, 11:15 a.m. This fun-filled Shabbat sing-along, led by Miss Patty, offers joyful Shabbat music, custom made for children up to age five and their parents. Open to all families in the Jewish community, at no charge.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:48 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 in honor of Harry Wolfson’s birthday by his friends; “Guard Your Tongue” and “The Great Midrash” are one hour before Mincha; Mincha, 4:30 p.m., followed by Seudah Shlishit; Havdalah, 5:49 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Rabbi Gross’s Teen Class, 10 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.

Board of WEDNESDAY: 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.

hosted by Ellen and David Feingold.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. all led by Rabbi Emanuel; Game Night, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gam Simcha7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street; Sanctuary Time, 9:30 a.m.; Family Mezuzah, 10 a.m.; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street; Federation Board Meeting, 1:30 p.m. at South Street.

TUESDAY: Women’s Lunch Group, noon at the Red Lobster.

For questions or if you need a ride, call Stephanie Dohner.

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

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAYS, Nov. 18, 7 p.m.

Crafting the Vision: The Temple and its Role in our Lives, led by Rabbi Emanuel.

CHABAD HOUSE

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

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.

For more information or to register email Estie@ochabad.com.

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.

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.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN

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.

Services conducted by Rabbi Ilan Emanuel.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. led by Rabbi Emanuel, with oneg following

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

FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by LOVE Members.

SATURDAY: Services, 9 a.m. led by Miles Remer.

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to you at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led

by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel; Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m., led by Rabbi Eric Linder and Cantor Wendy Shermet.

SATURDAY: Sparks Beneath the Surface, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Caroline Rockman, daughter of Stacey and Jonathan Rockman, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: Teacher meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades Pre-K-2 and 46, 10 a.m.; Grade 3 visits the Rose Blumkin Home, 10:15 a.m.; Senator Ben Nelson, 10 a.m. will discuss the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, concerns about Iran, and the Middle East peace process; Grade 5 Parent Learning Coffee, 10:15 a.m.; JYG, noon at Chalco Hills for learning, recycling, and a picnic lunch. Contact Leora Azriel, 960.5796 or leoraann@aol.com; Children’s Choir

Rehearsal, noon, with lunch provided for choir members and younger siblings.

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

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 46 p.m.; All School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 712, 6 p.m.; Introduction to Cantillation, 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.com.

THURSDAY: Adult Study with the Clergy with Rabbi Azriel, 10 a.m.; Torah on Wheels, noon at Vann Realty Company, 10330 Regency Parkway Drive. Contact the office for reservations. Lunch is $6; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

TOT SHABBAT SERVICE AND DINNER, Friday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m. Cost for dinner is $5 for adults; no charge for children.

Please contact the office or mkube@templeisraelomaha. com to make a reservation.

NEIGHBORHOOD MINYAN FRIDAY: Minyan, 4:48 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 p.m. with a Shabbat dinner following. $10 per adult, $6.50 for children 312, with a $35 max per family.

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

SUNDAY: LJCS Gam Simcha7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street; Sanctuary Time, 9:30 a.m.; Family Mezuzah, 10 a.m.; Hallah High, 10 a.m.-noon at South Street; Federation Board Meeting, 1:30 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 Tal Margalit, daughter of Ruti and Eyal Margalit, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Beth El. Tal is an eighth-grade Principle Honor Roll student at Beveridge Magnet Middle School.

Her interests include soccer, horseback riding, guitar, scuba,

friends, and animals.

For her mitzvah project, Tal worked on Helping our Earth -recyling awareness.

She has two sisters, Noam and Doron.

Grandparents are Israel and Tzila Stashefsky, the late Israel and Sara Margalit.

Katherine Alexandra Slosburg, daughter of Martha and David Slosburg, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Temple Israel.

Katherine is an eighth-grade Distinguished Honor roll student at Westside M i d d l e School, and a member of the Westside Connection Show Choir.

She was chosen to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Her interests include singing,

tennis, and playing the piano.

For her mitzvah project, Katherine volunteered for the National Junior Olympics, where she helped with the track and field events.

She has a two brothers, Joe and Max, and two sisters, Ali and Libby.

Grandparents are Stanley Slosburg, and the late Eleanor Slosburg, and Ed Gorelick and the late Barbara Gorelick.

November 14, 2008

How God appears to man

SPARKS FROM THE WORD

by RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parashat Vayera Our Sidra beings by saying that God appeared to Abram. How did He appear? Was it by the presence of two men, who we later identify as heavenly messengers?

Or was it three?

Or, as we learn later, does the Holy One appear as a powerful destroyer? Yes, as an angry destroyer of evil.

And what was the evil of Sodom and Gomorrah? It seems from the test that the evil was homosexuality. The word used translates as “to know” them, as we have it, for example, earlier in Genesis, where Adam “knew” Eve, and she bore two sons for him.

No, we are not dealing with Bible stories here. The Bible is not a book of stories; it is a book about life. Life is sometimes glorious and sometimes sordid. There are Bible stories for children, but the Bible itself is intended for adult, perceptive reading. It deals with ultimate questions of good and evil.

The adult mind, at its best, is required to understand when the first man and woman ate of the apple (or should we say “fruit”?), it was against God’s clear instructions.

The men of Sodom did not hesitate to make clear what they wanted from the two messengers. They specified that they wanted “to know” them. For this reason, Sodom and Gomorrah are termed “evil cities”. We need not stop to argue whether this is the greatest of evils or not. Perhaps murder is? Or adultery, or whatever you think. But here the answer is given clearly and precisely: it is homosexuality.

Something perverse in my mind now quotes what we see frequently on tv: “Don’t try this at home.” I said “perverse”; I really didn't mean it to be funny. There is nothing funny about this whole subject.

Let me suggest how God appears to man: HE appears when one is helpful, kind and loving to his neighbor. He appears when one lends a helping hand to another. He appears when a whole neighborhood turns out to help one farmer bring in his harvest.

So in all these ways and in any number of ways you can think of, God appears to Man. It does not require a vision of gigantic proportions; it requires only helpfulness and loving friendship.

Thus it becomes quite possible for all of us to do the things that are Godly. It is in our hands, our power, to make this earth on which we live a Garden of God.

DEATHS SHIRLEY ROSENZWEIG Former Omahan Shirley Rozenzweig died Oct. 23 in Seattle, WA, at the age of 82. Services were held Oct. 26 at Beth Shalom Cemetery.

She and her husband of 62 years, Norman Rosenzweig, were founders of one of the first Conservative synagogues in Seattle’s North End, Congregation Beth Shalom.

She was preceded in death by a grandchild, Benjamin Zukor.

She is survived by her daughter, Betty Ziri Prosper of Montgomery, AL; daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Jack Zukor; son and daughter-in-law, David and Karen Rosenzweig, Mercer Island, WA; grandchildren, Shawna Rosenzweig of New York City, Ali Rosenzweig, Leslie and Justin Zukor.

Memorials to the Benjamin Zukor Library at Temple de Hirsch Sinai, 1511 E. Pike, Seattle, WA 98122; Congregation Beth Shalom, 6800 35 Ave. NE, Seattle.

WA 98115; or the Caroline Kline Galland Home, 7500 Seward Park Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118.

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SHELDON HARRIS Longtime attorney and community leader Sheldon Harris died Nov. 10. A complete obituary will be in next week’s Jewish Press.

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, 9 a.m.

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).

Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: ckatzman@jewishomaha.org.

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.

What those Medicare ads mean to you even if you aren’t 65

by BEV CARLSON, PAHM for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska “Learn About Medicare” may not be at the top of your To-Do list during this busy season. But if someone you care about is Medicare-eligible, it would be a great service to them -- especially now -- for you to gain some understanding of the ABCs of Medicare.

You may be hearing more about Medicare this time of year because the annual enrollment period for the U.S. government’s over-65 health plan is Nov. 15 to Dec. 31. During this annual enrollment season, people with Medicare can join, switch or drop Medicare prescription drug and Medicare Advantage plans.

Changes take effect Jan. 1, 2009, and there will not be another opportunity to change drug plans until Nov. 2009.

“It’s very important to review plan offerings each year to ensure that you are enrolled in the best plan for you,” according to Tom Gilsdorf, Director of Individual Health Care Solutions for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. “The details of your prescription drug coverage may change every year, which means your current drug plan may increase your costs, no longer cover your medications or no longer contract with your local pharmacy next year.”

If your Medicare-eligible friend or family member is happy with their prescription drug or health plan, there is no need to re-enroll. But if the current coverage isn’t adequate or you would like to help them shop for a better option: • Review 2009 costs for your current drug and health plan; review the monthly premium, co-pays for doctor or hospital visits and how much they pay outof-pocket before the plan begins paying claims.

Pulverent e

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

• Compare with other plans in your area. A great resource for comparing costs and coverage is the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov. Check to see if the plan being considered covers current medications, works with their pharmacy and doctors, and covers services needed or anticipated next year.

• Choose a plan that meets your needs. Once you determine which plan is best for you in 2009, you can enroll starting Nov. 15 at www.medicare.gov, call 1.800.MEDICARE, or contact the prescription drug plan directly.

“Most people with Medicare can save money and find a plan that is more tailored to their needs if they will take a little time to shop around,” Gilsdorf said.

“This is the perfect time to do it.” Gilsdorf also recommends seeking out some of these answers: • What would be the out-of-pocket costs for a serious illness requiring an extended hospital stay?

• How stable is the health insurance company we are considering? What do we know about its track record and how it services customers?

• What about travel? Will my family member be covered in other states?

• What are his options if he wants to change coverage later? Will he have to answer health questions?

There are many resources available to help you through the process. You can talk with a local insurance agent with Medicare expertise. Visit with someone you trust who has been through the process, but remember that each person’s needs are different. Also, the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program at 800.234.7119, is a state program which offers free counseling.

Following the Sun Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning.Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old”address before we are notified by the Post Office.Every time they return a paper to us,you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged 70¢!

Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.

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Page 16

Jewish Press, Omaha, NE

November 14, 2008

Israeli circumcision experience helps fights AIDS in Africa

by DINA KRAFT TEL AVIV (JTA) -- In a clinic in the hills of Swaziland's capital, Israeli doctors have been training their counterparts in male circumcision, hoping expertise in the ancient technique will help in the battle against the modern scourge of AIDS. The United Nations announced last year that the procedure could reduce the rate of HIV transmission by up to 60 percent. It was in Israel, with its experience performing adult male circumcision on a wide scale, that the international medical community found an unlikely partner in the global fight against AIDS. “Israeli medicine and public health are positioned as a real asset in African countries,” said Dr. Inon Schenker, a director of Operation Abraham, the consortium that sent the doctors to Swaziland and plans to send more training teams to Africa. “They recognize the expertise and experience gained in Israel over the past decade, where close to 100,000 male circumcisions have been conducted.”

Israel’s accidental expertise in conducting large-scale numbers of male circumcisions came with the mass wave of immigration from the former Soviet Union, which brought with it a dramatic rise in men requesting the procedure.

To meet the demand, Israeli hospitals set up special circumcision clinics in five hospitals throughout the country. In turn, Israeli doctors gained unique experience in performing a high number of procedures efficiently.

It’s a model organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations would like to see replicated in Africa as a tool for combating the spread of HIV. Answering the call has been Operation

Experts say the scientific evidence has shown that specific cells on the penis foreskin appear to be targeted by the virus. It also has been found that an unremoved foreskin can trap the virus on the skin, making infection more likely.

Gross said he was moved by his time in Swaziland, which has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world and where the average life expectancy has plummeted to just 31 years old.

“People came of their Operation Abraham surgeon Dr. Moshe Westreich trains a own free will,” he said. local surgeon in Swaziland in adult male circumcision meth- “There was no publicity to ods while the patient reads a leaflet on preventing HIV/AIDS. draw them in out of fears Credit: Jerusalem AIDS Project that we'd be overwhelmed Abraham, a team of Israeli doctors and by a massive number of clients. When we AIDS educators -- Jews, Muslims and spoke to the men who came, many of Christians -- who this year made three them in their 20s and 30s, they told us training trips to Swaziland in what is con- about living amid the epidemic and what sidered a pilot program that they hope is it’s like to see so many people die.” just the start of their work. The organizaAlthough nearly 30 percent of the tion has had requests to do a similar train- world's men are circumcised, the practice ing program in Uganda, Lesotho, is quite rare in many southern African Namibia, Kenya and South Africa. countries where AIDS has become a panTheir work is sponsored by the demic.

Jerusalem AIDS project and the Dr. Jamal Garah, an Israeli Arab pediaHadassah Medical Center, and they hope trician, was among the Israeli doctors in to recruit surgeons from abroad.

Swaziland. He has experience in performDr. Eitan Gross, a pediatric surgeon at ing male circumcisions, usually on babies the Hadassah hospital in Ein Kerem who or young children in Israel’s Muslim comwas in Swaziland and is the medical direc- munity. tor of Operation Abraham, said he was “It’s fitting that our project is named surprised initially to hear that surgery after Abraham,” he said. “It symbolizes a could play a role in preventing the spread measure of unity to give the message to of AIDS. other people that we can work together.”

Research has shown that male circumciOfficials from the World Health sion reduces the chance of HIV infection. Organization traveled to Jerusalem in

2006 to gather information on Israel’s expertise in the field.

“The circumstances in which adult male circumcision are done in some institutions in Israel are generally of a high standard with few complications,” said Dr. Tim Hargreave, a leading British urological surgeon and technical advisor to the WHO, explaining the organization’s interest in Israel’s experience.

Drawing in part on Israeli methodology, Hargreave helped author the WHO manual on male circumcision that along with a teaching course, is now being used as part of government male circumcision programs in several countries in Africa.

Dr. Kiron Koshy was one of the doctors working in Swaziland trained by the Israeli team. He now conducts as many as 15 male circumcisions a week at the Catholic mission hospital where he works near the Mozambique border -- more than twice the rate he was performing previously.

“I have now learned the technique and I can work faster,” Koshy told JTA in a phone interview from Swaziland. “There are a lot of people coming in for the operation, and I think the numbers are only going to increase.”

Meanwhile in San Francisco, Don Abramson, a former chairman of American Jewish World Service who has been advocating for the project, said he hopes it will help galvanize Diaspora Jewry to fight one of the world’s biggest problems. One of his ideas is to encourage Jews around the world to donate money to Operation Abraham whenever they attend a bris.

“A bris affirms the Divine covenant relationship,” Abramson said. “A contribution to Project Abraham demonstrates a desire for others to be alive and healthy as well and could be a life-saving act.”

KIDS!

We Need Your Artistic Talent!

Your color drawing could be on the front of our Hanukkah Gift Guide! Use color markers,crayons, construction paper or whatever you like to create your drawing on an 8.5X11 piece of white paper. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Fill out the form below, attach it to the back and send or bring it to the Jewish Press,333 South 132 Street,Omaha,NE 68154.The deadline is Monday, November 24, 2008.

2008 Hanukkah Gift Guide Cover Coloring Contest This drawing by Yossi Katzman won him 1st Prize last year.

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